Mutola runs Pre Classic one last time
Maria Mutola will attempt to win the 800 meter at the Prefontaine Classic for a 16th time. By NNE M. PETERSON AP Sports WriterEUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Maria Mutola's fantastic run at the Prefontaine Classic will end on Sunday, when she bids farewell to the meet where she has won 15 straight times. The five-time Olympian will try to make it 16 when she runs the 800 meters at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field. Her competition incldues 2008 U.S. indoor champion Nicole Teter and three-time U.S. outdoor champion Hazel Clark, a two-time Olympian. As she has for the past 10 years, Mutola will don the No. 1 bib for the event. Mutola, who now lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, is a local favorite who went to high school in Springfield, Ore., and trained in the Eugene area for many years. "There has never been another competitor like her," meet director Tom Jordan said. "An Olympic gold, three World Championship golds, seven World Indoor gold medalsshe has dominated her event like no other athlete." When Mutola competes for Mozambique in Beijing this summer, it will mark her sixth Olympics dating back to Seoul in 1988- when she was 15. She won the gold medal in the 800 meters at the Sydney games. The 35-year-old plans to retire after this season. Mutola ran the 1,500 meters in her first Prefontaine Classic in 1991, placing fifth. With the exception of 2002, when she didn't compete, she has won at the Pre ever since then. The streak includes 11 victories in the 800 meters, three in the 1,000 meters and one in the 1,500 meters. After Sunday's Pre, the meet will honor her by retiring her No. 1 bib, which will be presented as part of the annual Maria Mutola Outstanding Athlete Award handed out for the first time on Sunday.
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