Lamecha Girma’s perseverance paid off in Lievin.
A four-time global silver medallist, making his fourth appearance at the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais, the 22-year-old secured the spotlight with a sensational world indoor record-breaking run.
No doubt aided by a brilliant head-to-head battle with Spain’s Mohamed Katir at this season’s fifth World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting on Wednesday February 15, Ethiopia’s Girma shaved almost a second from the 25-year-old world indoor 3000m record, clocking 7:23.81.
The previous record of 7:24.90 had been set by Kenya’s Daniel Komen in Budapest on 6 February 1998. Katir was also inside the old record mark, running 7:24.68 for the runner-up spot.
“I am so happy with this result,” said Girma, who adds this latest honour to a CV that features Olympic 3000m steeplechase silver and two world silver medals in the same discipline, as well as a world indoor 3000m medal of the same colour.
“I was talking about this world record attempt for the past three days.
“My brother is my coach. He told me I had it in me and of course I believed him. I felt really good in training and it was my best form ever, plus the crowd was very supportive today.”
Paced through 1000m in 2:28.49, the race leaders were right on schedule at the Arena Stade Couvert. As Girma took over the lead at the 2000m mark, the clock showed 4:58.38.
“The pacers and the Wavelight were perfect – it all clicked,” a delighted Girma said.
“I have raced here several times in this meeting. The atmosphere and the crowd never disappoint. I hope the record stays for a long time.”
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STATS
World indoor 3000m record progression
7:39.2h Emiel Puttemans (BEL) Berlin, 18 Feb 1973
7:37.31 Moses Kiptanui (KEN) Seville, 20 Feb 1992
7:35.15 Moses Kiptanui (KEN) Gent, 12 Feb 1995
7:30.72 Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) Stuttgart, 4 Feb 1996
7:26.15 Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) Karlsruhe, 25 Jan 1998
7:24.90 Daniel Komen (KEN) Budapest, 6 Feb 1998
7:23.81 Lamecha Girma (ETH) Lievin, 15 Feb 2023
Men’s world indoor 3000m all-time top 10
7:23.81 Lamecha Girma (ETH) Lievin, 15 Feb 2023
7:24.68 Mohamed Katir (ESP) Lievin, 15 Feb 2023
7:24.90 Daniel Komen (KEN) Budapest, 6 Feb 1998
7:24.98 Getnet Wale (ETH) Lievin, 9 Feb 2021
7:26.10 Selemon Barega (ETH) Lievin, 9 Feb 2021
7:26.15 Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) Karlsruhe, 25 Jan 1998
7:26.20 Berihu Aregawi (ETH) Karlsruhe, 28 Jan 2022
7:27.80 Yenew Alamirew (ETH) Stuttgart, 5 Feb 2011
7:28.00 Augustine Kiprono Choge (KEN) Stuttgart, 5 Feb 2011
7:28.24 Yared Nuguse (USA) Boston, 27 Jan 2023
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World Athletics (formerly the International Association of Athletics Federations - IAAF) is the international governing body for the sport of athletics, such as running, jumping and throwing.
