IAAF Barcelona

Ethiopia's Muktar Edris won the men's 5000m this evening on the penultimate day of the IAAF World Junior Championships in Barcelona, giving Ethiopia a clean sweep of the gold medals in this discipline. Muktar joins compatriot Buzunish Diriba, who won the women's 5000m on Wednesday, at the top of the podium.

"I dedicate my gold to the people of Ethiopia," Edris told the IAAF shortly after his victory. Running in the front through one and two kilometers, Edris seemed poised and in position to take the title.

Between the third and fourth kilometer (3000m was hit in 8:19.38), Edris regained the lead from Eritrea's Abrar Osman Adem. Fending off a number of competitors, the 18-year-old won in 13:38.95.

Edris said his idol is the great Haile Gebrselassie, someone he hopes to emulate as his career goes on.

"I am looking up to him. I spoke already sometimes to him," said Edris, talking with the IAAF. Gebrselassie was himself an IAAF World Junior Champion, winning the 1992 5000m and 10,000m titles in what were then championship record times. His mark in the 5000m that year (13:36.06) is just over two seconds faster than Edris's mark today.