Women’s 10,000m: Tulu, Wami renew rivalry

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Sydney: Ethiopian teammates Derartu Tulu and Gete Wami both hope the other wins a medal in the Olympics 10,000 metres on Saturday.

But not the gold.

For Tulu, victory would bring back memories of her Barcelona triumph, when she became Ethiopia and black Africa's first Olympic women's gold medallist.

Her joint victory lap with runner-up Elana Meyer, South Africa's first woman medallist since the country was reinstated after its 30-year ban over apartheid, became the stuff of legend.

Wami possesses the 10,000 metres world title but has never won at an Olympics.

The two have a habit of getting in each other's way. Returning after two years of injury and maternity absence, Tulu stole Wami's world cross-country crown in March.

Despite a minor achilles problem recently, Tulu also has the advantage of freshness, since Wami also ran the Sydney 5,000 metres, taking bronze on Monday.

In the 10,000 metres heats, Tulu posted the fastest time.