Selemon Barega's First Indoor Race Came Less Than Three Weeks Before World Indoor Championships

By Adam Kopet

Elshadai Negash for the IAAF reports Ethiopian Selemon Barega had never run on an indoor track before he ran a world-leading 7:36.64 on Feb. 13 in Lievin, France.

Less than three weeks later, Barega is now representing Ethiopia at the IAAF World Indoor Championships at Arena Birmingham.

Barega has risen fast in the world of distance running. In 2017, he ran 12:55.58 for 5,000 meters. He also placed fifth in the 5,000 at the 2017 IAAF World Outdoor Championships. He was 17 at the time.

Now Barega faces a new test, as running on the banked indoor oval brings different challenges than on an outdoor track. Prelims for the 3,000, which Barega will contest, are scheduled for Friday.