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Ethiopia’s impressive Almaz Ayana sets new world record in women’s 10,000m

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Ethiopian long-distance runner Almaz Ayana has today set a new world record in the women’s 10,000 meter race, clocking a winning time of 29 minutes and 17.45 seconds.

Ayana is the first Africa to win a gold medal in the Olympic Games taking place in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.

She beat the previous record by a remarkable 14.46 seconds, a record that had remained in place for the last 23 years.

Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot took second place while yet another Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba came third.

African teams at the Olympics haven’t fared well so far. Kenya has had two coaches sent home over doping while Namibian boxer Jonas Junias has been charged with attempted sexual assault. The Nigerian football team also boycotted training ahead of their quarter-final game against Denmark.

With the athletics events now on however, more Africans are expected to win more medals for their countries.

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