2002 Year End Athletics Review

All images copyright © Randy Miyazaki and ditphoto. All Rights Reserved.


 

Middle Distance Dominance -- Hicham El Guerrouj (here, winning in Zurich) went undefeated in 12 races while 22 year-old Sureyya Ayhan capped her undefeated season with a win at the World Cup.


 

Running Close -- In their 3000/5000 rivalry, Gabriela Szabo proved better over 3K while Berhane Adere was stronger over 5K.


 

Consistent Kenyan -- Benjamin Limo (left, winning the London GP 3000) was the most consistent 3000/5000 racer on the GP circuit. Luke Kipkosgei (right), snatching victory in the Berlin GP 5000.


 

World Cup 5000m Victors -- Olga Yegorova (left) returned from an early season stomach ailment to take the women's race, while Alberto Garcia's win earned him bows of admiration from the raucous Madrid fans.


 

Inauspicious moments -- Brahim Boulami tested positive for EPO soon after breaking his own WR in Zurich (left); Seneca Lassiter's admission to RRW that he acted as a rabbit for Bernard Lagat's World Cup win resulted in international condemnation of the US 1500m champion, a formal apology, and an inquiry by USATF.


 

Suzy-Favor Hamilton turned in three late season sub-4:00 clockings in the 1500, while Maria Mutola, despite a few new challenges, maintained her dominance in the 800.