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The other phenomenon appeared between the two Olympiads is the explosion of Kenyans who appear en masse in all international marathons, winning everything in their path. They are 163 to perform under 2:20 in 1997 and 216 in 1998 and 244 in 1999. In 1998, for the first time they are three months in 2:08 ', then four in Chicago !! Among the best Kenyan, Ondoro Osoro (not starting in Sydney, suffered a bullet gun when steering his car), Japhet Kosgei. Only negative, the role of foreign agents, who negotiated advantageously participation of Kenyans in very statements marathons, but according Chebili Said, who told the team: "Some managers are smart African They spot talent. often in training camps organized by them on site, and they charge them. thus they make the most money. once in Europe, they offer them the possibility to dope. This is how work some big teams. "

The thirtieth kilometer past in 1:32:48, while accelerating through Africans, four men stand out, among them the British John Brown, the Kenyan Eric Wainaina third in Atlanta and two Ethiopians Tesfaye Tolla and Abera . An attack Wainaina, will see Brown and tolla let go, Abera deserves in Kenya at 39th kilometer and immediately takes the lead in taking twenty meters, enough to win the Olympic title in 2h10'11 ".

At the time of his victory, Abera only 22, one of the youngest winner !! (but his birth date is somewhat uncertain as some said). In 1999 he had already distinguished himself by winning in Fukuoka for her third marathon in 2:07:54, then he was second to Boston in 2:09:47. This Ethiopian succeed then all it will take, counting only victory in his subsequent appearances, world champion in Edmonton in 2002 (being the first to achieve this famous dual successively), winner in Fukuoka in 2001 and 2002, and in London in 2003, only an injury will stop him and prevent him from participating in world of Paris last year. He said after his victory: "throughout the race, I thought about what this race on my country in Ethiopia, we honor our country first, before money names.. Mamo Wolde and Abebe Bikila rocked my youth when I was a shepherd. I never thought that one day I might be their equal. "

For the first time will finally be noted that the three steps of the podium were occupied by Africans, since behind the Ethiopian Abera found Kenya Wainaina again medalist (and still present in Atnènes in 2004) and the Ethiopian Tesfaye Tolla third . When the defending champion South African Thugwane, he placed 21th in 2:16:59.