Ethiopian running legend Haile Gebrselassie has praised Ugandan athlete and 5000m world record holder Joshua Cheptegei as a superstar.
Gebrselassie, who enjoyed success breaking 5,000m and 10,000m world records lauded Cheptegei after watching him break Kenenisa Bekele’s record in Monaco.
Having set 27 world records, including a 5,000m time of 12:39.36 in Helsinki, 1998, Gebrselassie couldn’t believe Cheptegei’s exploits that made history.
“He is a superstar and simply the best,” Gebrselassie said of Cheptegei via the Olympic Channel before predicting his potential to run 12:35.
“I watched the 5,000m world record in Monaco, and it didn’t look hard [for him] compared to the time I ran the 5,000m.
“It looks like he can run 12:35 for 5,000m. It’s amazing to see such wonderful athletes in this generation. I don’t know what is going to be the time in the future.”
Cheptegei ran 12:35:36 at the Wanda Diamond League meeting to break the 5000m record set in 2004.