Genzebe Dibaba sets world record in women’s indoor mile

STOCKHOLM – Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba set a world record in the indoor mile on Wednesday, beating a record that had stood for 26 years.

Her time of 4 minutes, 13.31 seconds beat Doina Melinte’s record set in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in 1990 by nearly 4 seconds.

It was the third straight year Dibaba set an indoor record in Stockholm, having previously set the (3,000 and 5,000 meters) records.

Dibaba, who was voted World Athlete of the Year in 2015, was understandably delighted with her latest visit to the Swedish capital.

“I know this track well, and it is very good for me,” she said. “I am very happy with this record. And I think I will be able to run even faster this season.”

On a night of record breaking at the World Indoor Tour event, Djibouti’s Ayanleh Souleiman also set an indoor record for the 1,000, streaking away on the final lap of the race to clock 2:14.20.

The previous record of 2:14.96 had been set by Denmark’s Wilson Kipketer in 2000.

After the race, Souleiman praised the pacemaker.

“After I passed 800m in 1:46, I knew I would have the record,” he said. “This is my first world record, and I am very happy.”

Both records still need to be ratified by the ruling IAAF.

In the 500 meter race, Abdalelah Haroun of Qatar finished in a world’s-best time of 59.83 seconds ahead of Onkabetse Nkobolo of Botswana.

Meanwhile, 39-year-old Kim Collins from Saint Kitts and Nevis proved again that age hasn’t diminished his speed winning the 60-meter sprint in 6.56 seconds, ahead of Americans Mike Rodgers and Joseph Morris.

In other events on a dramatic night, Adam Kszczot of Poland finished strongly to overtake Qatar’s Musaeb Balla on the home straight to win the 800 meters in a world-leading time of 1:45.63. Mohamed Aman of Ethiopia was third.

In the 3,000 meters, Morocco’s Abdalaati Iguider of Morocco was strong enough to hold off the challenge Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia to win in 7:39.04.

Canadian Tim Nedow threw a personal-best 21.33 meters to win the men’s shot put, beating Poland’s Michal Haratyk into second and German Lauro of Argentina into third.

Meanwhile, world championship silver medalist Shara Proctor was beaten into third place in the long jump by fellow Briton, Lorraine Ugen. Ksenija Balta of Estonia won the event with a season’s-best 6.76 meters.