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Sifan Hassan and Joshua Cheptegei have established themselves as elite athletes capable of setting world records, but both were quick on Wednesday to dismiss criticism of the new running shoes which some say are the equivalent of mechanical doping. Cheptegei and Hassan both wear Nike ZoomX Dragonfly track cleats, an ultralight shoe with a stiff plate and unique foam that gives a propulsive feel with every stride. Critics claim the shoes are the equivalent of mechanical doping, while supporters hail them as a revolutionary technical advance. With the athletes also aided by the pace lighting at the edge of the track, a host of middle distance records have been broken and many more are expected to follow.
Dutch all-round runner Hassan has three world records under her belt, after watching Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey set a new world record in the 10,000m in Hengelo on Tuesday, just two days after she herself broke more than 10 seconds of the record.
Ugandan middle distance maestro Cheptegei set new records in the men’s 5,000m in Monaco, the 10,000m in Valencia and the 5km road, also in Monaco, last season.
“I don’t know why they are going crazy about technology,” Hassan said ahead of Thursday’s Diamond League meeting in the Italian city of Florence, where she will go from endurance to sprint racing, running the 1500. m in which it is also global. champion.
“We all have new phones, before nobody had them, so we have to go back to the radio to listen?” “
Hassan, who left Ethiopia for the Netherlands at the age of 15 in 2008, added: “We don’t need to have the track, so we have to take it and run on dust. or something like that!
“What’s wrong with you, continue. We’re a new generation, relax don’t just whine, just be positive everyone have fun. “
A CHANGING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY
Cheptegei said the innovative track cleats were “available not only to me or Sifan” but to everyday runners looking to improve.
“I believe technology is changing the world,” said the Ugandan, who won the 10,000m world gold in Doha in 2019.
“We are not living in the 90s, we have to accept the new innovations of new companies, the technologies, we have to go live, it is about the comfort that allows you to reach your dreams.”
Cheptegei has named Norwegian in-form prodigy Jakob Ingebrigtsen as “the man of the moment” ahead of the third Diamond League of the season, just six weeks away from the Tokyo Olympics.
“He showed a lot of accomplishments, huge changes leading up to the world championships in Doha,” he said.
“Even when he was still young he was still improving. Look at what he did in 2020 during the pandemic. It proves that he is the man of the moment capable of delivering something special on the big stage.
“I’m sure he can be under 13, it’s not about when, but even tomorrow it is possible.”
Cheptegei said the 12:46 competition’s record will come under serious pressure, including with a trio of Ethiopians in Selemon Barega and Hagos Gebrhiwet, who are respectively ranked fifth and sixth in the all-time list. with 12: 43.02 and 12: 45.82, and Muktar Edris, the reigning 5000m world champion.
“I think with a good organization of the leaders, also with a good field, and pretty much we have a very strong field, the Ethiopians, the Canadians, Jakob, so I think the meeting record will be in jeopardy tomorrow. “, did he declare. mentionned.
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