Sport

The challenge to Sonia: Her main rivals

Gabriela Szabo (Romania)

Mon Sept 25 2000 - 01:00

Gabriela Szabo (Romania)

Age: 25. PB: 14.31.48 (1997).

At the top since 1997 when she won world titles indoors and out. In 1998, she was the world's fastest at 1,500, the mile, 2,000, 3,000, and 5,000 metres, the only woman to beat Svetlana Masterkova over 1,500, and after the disappointment of a European silver behind Sonia O'Sullivan in Budapest, ran a European record of 14.31.48 in Berlin. Won a 1,5003,000 double at the World Indoors in Japan last year. Then took the World 5,000 in Seville.

Gete Wami (Ethiopia)

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Age: 26

PB: 14.30.88 (2000).

First came to prominence in 1996 when taking the gold medal at the World Cross Country championships and later that summer took the bronze medal over 10,000 metres at the Olympic Games in Atlanta. Since then, she has set Ethiopian records at 3,000 and 5,000 metres and, last year in Seville, she took her first World Championship gold over 10,000 metres in 30.21.56.

Ayelech Worku (Ethiopia)

Age: 21

PB: 14:41.23 (2000).

Four years ago in Atlanta, she became the youngest ever Olympic track finalist when she finished 12th in the 5,000. In the same year she was world junior champion over 5,000 metres. Last year marked her first real achievements as a senior when she took bronze over 5,000 at the World Championships in Seville in 14.44.22. This season she has improved her best to 14.41.23 - the fourth fastest in the world this year.

Lydia Cheromei (Kenya)

Age: 23

PB: 14.46.72 (1997).

Back in 1991, at the age of 13, she became the youngest winner of the World Junior Cross Country championships. She was eliminated in the heats of the 10,000 metres in Barcelona (the youngest athlete at the Games) with the same fate in the 5,000 metres in Atlanta four years ago. Has a world road best over 5,000 metres of 14.58.50 from 1997 and clocked her season's best of 14.46.72 behind Yegorova in Stockholm in July.

Rose Cheruiyot (Kenya)

Age: 24

PB: 14.46.41 (1996).

A strong record that includes an eighth-place finish in the Olympic 5,000 metres final four years ago in Atlanta, as well as a second place in the World Cross Country championships the same year. Was seventh in the World Championship 5,000 metres three years ago. Was also the former world record holder for 5,000 metres and for the 10 miles on the road. Married to former World 5,000 champion Ismael Kirui.

Olga Yegorova (Russia)

Age: 28

PB: 14.42.91 (2000).

This season has marked an incredible breakthrough for the Russian, as she improved her personal best by some 40 seconds in clocking 14.42.91 when winning the Stockholm Grand Prix. Before that, her most notable achievements included victories in the European Cup over 3,000 metres in 1998 and fifth place in the World Cup over 5,000 metres. Was sixth last year over 3,000 metres at the World Indoor Championships in Japan.