Olympic Champions Chase Khannouchi

MEDIA RELEASE


One of the strongest marathon fields in history will race through the
streets of Edmonton on August 3rd chasing the elusive world championships
gold medal and the $60,000 US prize money which accompanies it.

Headlining the field is the fastest marathoner ever, Khalid Khannouchi, who
will wear the colours of the United States for the first time since
receiving his citizenship a year ago. Khannouchi, who ran 2:05:42 in
Chicago two years ago, will be hard-pressed by Moroccan Abdelkader El
Mouaziz, this year's winner of the London Marathon as well as a host of
other great competitors.

The reigning Olympic champion, 23 year old Gezehegne Abera of Ethiopia who
also won  the famed Fukuoka marathon two years ago in 2:07:54 and his
countryman Tesfaye Tola, the Olympic bronze medalist in Sydney, have
declared their entry in the race. Other contenders include three Spanish
 runners Antonio Pena, Julio Rey and Francisco Javier Cortes, all of whom
have run 2:07:48 or faster this year and the Italian national record
holder, Giacomo Leone (2:07:52).

Kenya is sending Josephat Kiprono who won the 2001 Rotterdam Marathon in
the world's fastest time of 2:06:50 in the hope that he can end his
country's poor record in world championship marathoning. In seven previous
championships Kenya has won just one medal.

At the 1996 Olympics Josiah Thugwane surprised many by winning the gold
medal. He and his South African compatriot, Gert Thys (2:06:33 best) are
also fit and ready for Edmonton.

After winning the 2001 Boston Marathon this past April Bong-ju Lee of South
Korea, flew himself to Edmonton to look over the course. Having run Boston,
a much tougher course, Lee also fancies his chances.

The world championships marathon also serves as the IAAF World Cup with
teams of five competing for the prestige of being the number one
marathoning nation in the world. With two Olympic champions, the holder of
the world's fastest time and many of the top distance runners in the world
it promises to be a highly competitive race.

The 8th IAAF World Championships in Athletics is expected to bring more
than 3,000 athletes, coaches and officials from more than 200 countries, to
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to compete in 24 men's and 22 women's athletic
events, August 3rd through 12th, 2001. More than 2,500 media are also
expected to attend and provide coverage around the world. The IAAF World
Championships in Athletics is the third-largest sporting event in the
world, based on a world-wide television audience of four billion viewers
anticipated to tune in during the 10 days of competition. The IAAF World
Championships in Athletics is third in scope only to the Summer Olympics
and World Cup Soccer.
    
Edmonton 2001 World Championships in Athletics is pleased to acknowledge
the following partners: IAAF Partners TDK, EPSON, adidas, Coca-Cola, SEIKO,
Eurovision and TBS.
Government Partners: Government of Canada, Government of Alberta and the
City of Edmonton; Sport Partners: Athletics Canada and Athletics Alberta;
National Partners: TELUS, Royal Bank Financial Group, Labatt, EPCOR, IKON
Office Solutions, Sony of Canada Ltd. and the General Motors Dealers of
Edmonton. For further information, visit the Edmonton 2001 Web site at
www.2001.edmonton.com.



For more information:
Paul Gains
Media Information Coordinator 
Edmonton 2001 World Championships in Athletics  
Telephone: (780) 821-6138