Kenya’s Kiptanui Sets World Record in 3,000

Moses Kiptanui of Kenya set a world record in the men’s 3,000 meters, covering the distance in 7 minutes 28.96 seconds at the Weltklasse track and field meet Sunday at Cologne, Germany.

The previous mark in the non-Olympic event was held by Said Aouita of Morocco, who ran 7:29.45 three years ago, also in Cologne.

Kiptanui, the 3,000 steeplechase world champion, ran unchallenged for the last three laps, building a huge lead as Kenyans swept the top three spots.

Colin Jackson of Britain set a European record of 13.04 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles to beat Olympic champion Mark McKoy of Canada.

Several other Olympic champions, including the 100-meter gold medalist Linford Christie of Britain and women’s 200-meter titlist Gwen Torrence, were beaten. But Kevin Young, who set a world record in the 400-meter hurdles at the Olympics, won for the third consecutive time since the Games.

Jackson started quickly and finished in 13.04, which would have earned him a gold medal at Barcelona.

Gail Devers, who won the 100-meter gold medal at Barcelona but missed out on a rare double when she clipped the last hurdle while leading the women’s 100 hurdles, won the hurdles Sunday. Her time of 12.60 seconds would have won the gold medal in Barcelona.

Olapade Adeniken of Nigeria upset Christie and bronze medalist Dennis Mitchell in the 100, winning in 10.13 seconds. Christie was second in 10.15, edging Mitchell, who also was timed at 10.15.

Russian Irina Privalova, an Olympic bronze medalist in the 100, clocked 22.13 to win the women’s 200. Torrence finished in 22.31 and Galina Malchugina, also of Russia, placed third in 22.44.

Young raced to another impressive victory in the 400-meter hurdles, winning in 47.42 seconds.

Samuel Matete of Zambia, the world champion who was disqualified at the Olympics after hitting a hurdle in the adjacent lane, finished second in 48.10, followed by Olympic silver medalist Winthrop Graham of Jamaica in 48.48 and bronze medalist Kriss Akabusi of Britain in 49.07.