Abeba Aregawi wins gold in women’s 1,500m

Moscow – Ethiopian-born Abeba Aregawi, who represent Sweden now,  won the women’s 1,500 m title at the World Athletics Championships here today.

Aregawi, who was only cleared to run for Sweden in December 2012, six months after receiving Swedish citizenship, clocked 4:02.67 sec.

Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia finished a disappointing 8th (4:05.99).

Defending champion Jennifer Simpson of the United States, set the pace early on, but had to settle for silver in 4:02.99 while Kenya’s Hellen Obiri took the bronze with 4:03.86.

Mary Cain of the United States, at 17 the youngest woman ever to make the 1,500 final, finished 10th of 12 in the race.

Cain, 17, who trains with marathon great Alberto Salazar, finished in 4:07.19, holds several U.S. high school records, was sixth at the world junior championships in Barcelona.