Berhane Adere is attempting an unparalleled golden double in the women's 5,000m and 10,000m events at the World Athletics Championships today in a meeting that has already been a triumph for the Ethiopian track team.

After the seventh day of competition on Friday, Ethiopia, one of the world's poorest countries, lies fourth in the medals table with two golds, two silvers and a bronze.

Their African rivals Kenya have gathered only one silver.

Adere swept to victory in the women's 10,000m on the opening day last Saturday ahead of teammate Werknesh Kidane.

She is the world leader in the 5,000m with the second fastest time ever of 14 minutes 29.32 seconds at the Bislett Games in Oslo in June, 3.5 seconds faster than any of her rivals this year.

No woman has ever won both events at an Olympic Games or world championships, though the 5,000m for women was not introduced until the 1995 Gothenburg World Championships.

The 10,000m was first run at the 1987 Rome World Championships.

Kenyan hopes rest with Edith Masai, the world short course cross-country champion, who was the fastest in qualifying.

Kenenisa Bekele, who led an Ethiopian clean sweep in the men's 10,000m, will attempt to complete the same double on Sunday.