Dibaba Breaks World Indoor Mile Record in Stockholm

IAAF Release

Genzebe Dibaba broke the world indoor mile record* at the Globen Galan with a clocking of 4:13.31, one of two world indoor records set at the IAAF World Indoor Tour meeting in Stockholm on Wednesday (17).

Paced through the first few laps by world 800m leader Joanna Jozwik, Dibaba was alone in front from 800m onwards. She passed 1000m in about 2:37.5, which was slightly adrift of the pre-race desired pace, but well on course to break the world indoor record of 4:17.14 set 26 years ago by Doina Melinte.

Dibaba’s speed barely faded in the second half and she passed 1500m in 3:56.27, the second-fastest indoor clocking ever for the distance, and held on for another 109 metres to cross the finish line in 4:13.31.

Her performance is the second-fastest ever under any conditions, just 0.75 shy of the outdoor world record. It was the fifth world record of her career, following her world indoor records at 1500m, 3000m and 5000m, and her outdoor world record at 1500m. She also owns the world indoor best over two miles.

Earlier in the evening, training partner Ayanleh Souleiman set a world indoor 1000m record of 2:14.20. Abdalelah Haroun, also a member of the same training group, set a world indoor best of 59.83 over 500m.