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Olga Bondarenko was one of the pioneers of women's long distance
running in the 1980's, starting her career in an era when the longest
distance contested at major championships was the 3000m. Competing
under her maiden name of Krentser, Olga produced a world best time of
32min 30.80sec for 10,000m on 7 August 1981 at a time when this event was
not recognised by the IAAF for world record purposes. Recognition was
gained later that year, and on 24 June 1984, Olga set an official world
record of 31min 13.78sec at Kiev, competing under her married name of
Bondarenko. Despite the acceptance of the 10,000m for world record
purposes, the longest track event for women at major international
championships at that time was the 3,000m.
The first major event to host
a 10,000m race was the 1985 World Cup in Canberra. Bondarenko was
comfortably sharing the lead with the European entrant Aurora Cunha
(Portugal) with 700 metres remaining, when Olga suddenly sprinted clear.
When she stopped as she passed the finish line it was obvious that she
had misjudged the finish. Realising her mistake, but with her energy
spent, Olga could only jog the final lap, and finished third.
Understandably disappointed, Bondarenko announced her retirement, but
she soon after changed her mind, and was back in action at the 1986
European Championships in Stuttgart where she competed in both the 3,000m
and 10,000m.
In the 3000m final, held on 28 August, Zola Budd (see photo above, No. 283)
set a fast and led until just before the bell, at which time Bondarenko
(No.823) cruised past her and went on to win the gold medal in a
personal best time of 8min 33.99sec. Two days later, Olga finished
second in the 10,000m, recording another personal best of 30min 57.21sec
behind world record-holder Ingrid Kristiansen (Norway). (Ron Casey)
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