AP Sports Writer (AP) — There are two main things to look for when picking an Olympic marathon team: speed and success.
Sisay Lemma has both.
The 2024 Boston Marathon champion says he expects to be on the roster for the Paris Games when Ethiopian officials make their decisions in the coming weeks. Even before his Boston win, Lemma already had good credentials with a course-record 2 hours, 1 minute, 48 seconds in Valencia last year that was the fourth-fastest ever run in a competitive marathon.
“Because of the fast race I ran in Valencia, the time that I got the fastest time, and also the marathon that I won here, right now from all the Ethiopian athletes I’m the fastest,” Lemma said on Tuesday, a day after winning in Boston. “So I’m confident I am the one who is going to be selected.”
Lemma blistered the Boston course with a 1:00:19 first half, opening a lead of almost three-quarters of a mile with six miles to go. He slowed over the final stretch and finished in 2:06:17 but still beat fellow Ethiopian Mohamed Esa by 41 seconds — the length of more than two football fields.
In Paris, students inspired by pro
Chinese mainland travelers to Hong Kong airport will be exempted from entry permits
Chinese President Xi Declares 31st World University Games Open
China to trial unilateral visa
Huairou set for Beijing film festival
Xi Presents Order to Promote Military Officers to Rank of General
China's sees 11.81 mln inbound, outbound trips during Golden Week
China to establish coal capacity reserve system by 2027
Spanish city of Barcelona celebrates day of books and love
Nadal beats Djokovic in straight sets to win 13th French Open title
Scarred UNESCO World Heritage site Jiuzhaigou recovers after quake
Xi Focus: Seeking Harmony with Nature, Xi Steers China's Green Transition