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By AFP
Joshua Cheptegei and Sifan Hassan 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 rhythmic lighting at the edge of the track, a slew of middle distance records have been broken and many more are expected to follow.
Dutch all-round runner Hassan has three world records to her credit, after watching Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey set a new world record in the 10,000m in Hengelo on Tuesday, just two days after breaking more than 10 seconds of the record. Cheptegei set a new best over 5000m in Monaco, 10,000m in Valencia and 5km road, also in Monaco, last season.
I don’t know why they are going crazy about tech, Hassan said ahead of Thursday’s Diamond League meeting in Florence, where she won the 1,500m in which she is also the world champion. We all have new phones, before nobody had them, so we have to go back to the radio to listen?
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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 the dust or whatever. something like that! . Were a new generation, don’t just complain, be positive.
Technology is changing the world Cheptegei said innovative track cleats are available not only for me or Sifan, but also for everyday runners looking to improve. I think technology is changing the world, said the Ugandan, who won the 10,000m world gold in Doha in 2019.
We did not live 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 achieve your dreams Cheptegei distinguished the Norwegian prodigy in form Jakob Ingebrigtsen as the man of the moment heading into 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 continued to improve. 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’s possible. Indeed, Ingebrigtsen ran a stellar race to win the 5000m in 12: 48.45 ahead of Cheptegei who faltered and finished sixth in 12: 54.69 seconds.
Rome Diamond LeagueRESULTS | 5000m Men1.Jakob Ingebrigtsen NOR 12: 48.452.Hagos Gebrhiwet ETH 12: 49.023.Mohammed Ahmed CAN 12: 50.124.Mohamed Katir ESP 12: 50.795.Justyn Knight CAN 12: 51.936.Joshua Cheptegei UGA 12: 54.69
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