English
– I was so nervous before the race. But it felt easy and I was completely committed to the win. It was fantastic to be able to respond to Hassan’s challenge and take the gold, Meraf told TV4.
After a 62 second final lap Meraf won with .4 second in 15:31.39 to become Sweden’s sixth female European outdoor champion in athletics and the first at 5000m.
A match with Abeba Aregawi and Sifan Hassan at DN Galan on Thursday
Sifan Hassan took the 5000m silver yesterday after beating Abeba Aregawi over 1500m on Friday. On Thursday this week all three will meet and Abeba will have the chance for revenge over Sifan who, in her turn, will be out to pay back Meraf. In other words an exciting 1500m race is on the cards at DN Galan on Thursday 21 August!
Meraf has taken a major step forward in terms of results, setting personal bests in both 1500m (4:03:16) and 5000m (14:59.49) and really establishing herself in the world’s elite. From an international perspective there are several other exciting names to look out for in the 1500m. American, Jenny Simpson, ranked third in the world this year and her compatriot, Shannon Rowbury, who is sixth, will be on the startline. 19-year-old Ethiopian, Axumavit Embaye, who came second behind Abeba at the World Indoor Championships in Poland this winter, is also in the field.
The stadium record for 1500m of 3:57.12, set by Mary Decker 31 years ago is also still the American record and it looks as if it is under threat. Four of the athletes in the field have run under that time this year.
Jonas Hedman and David Fridell
