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Selemon BaregaEthiopian track and field athlete
Date of Birth: 20.01.2020
Country:  Ethiopia |
Content:
Life and Early Career
Ethiopia's Selemon Barega, a long-distance track and field athlete, competes primarily in the 5000 and 10,000 meters. Born in the Gurage Zone of Ethiopia, Barega commenced competing internationally in 2016. He won the IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, with a time of 13:21.21.
Notable Achievements
- Gold medal in the 10,000m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics- Silver medal in the 5000m at the 2019 World Athletics Championships
- Gold medals at the 2016 World U20 Championships and 2017 World U18 Championships
International Success
In 2017, Barega finished fifth in the men's 5000m final at the World Championships in London, behind compatriot Muktar Edris. The following year, he placed second in the 3000m at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, UK. Barega's 2019 season included a fourth-place finish in the men's senior race at the World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark. He also clinched second place at the Shanghai and Rome Diamond League meetings and triumphed in the 3000m at the Bislett Games in Oslo.
Personal Bests
Barega's personal bests include:- 5000m: 12:43.02 (2018) - 5th fastest in history
- 10,000m: 26:49.51 (2021)
- 3000m (indoor): 7:26.10 (2021) - 3rd fastest in history
2020 Season
In 2020, Barega participated in indoor track races in Europe, finishing second in the 5000m at the Ostrava Golden Spike and third in the 1500m at the Gala dei Castelli. At the World Athletics Indoor Tour, he won both 1500m races, in Torun, Poland, and Madrid, Spain, making him the 8th fastest indoor 3000m performer of all time.
Olympic Gold
On July 30, 2021, Barega triumphed in the 10,000m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, overcoming world record holder Joshua Cheptegei and world half-marathon champion Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda. His time of 27:43.22 made him the fourth Ethiopian to win the Olympic 10,000m title.
