Paul Tergat relives Sydney Olympic battle with Haile Gebrselassie ahead of world cross country titles

He was part of one of the great moments of the Sydney 2000 Olympics but it has taken Paul Tergat more than 22 years to return to the scene of one of his most extraordinary races.

Paul Tergat returned to the scene of his 2000 silver medal in Sydney.

He was part of one of the great moments of the Sydney Olympics but it has taken Paul Tergat more than 22 years to return to the scene of one of his most extraordinary medal wins.

In Australia as an ambassador for the world cross country championships in Bathurst this weekend, Tergat took a detour to Sydney Olympic Park where he was part of an extraordinary duel with another athletics great at the 2000 Games.

The same night Australia celebrated Cathy Freeman’s incredible 400m gold, Tergat, who won individual and team titles for Kenya at each of those five editions of the world cross country championships, and the great Haile Gebrselassie produced a race for the ages in the 10,000m.

Watched by more than 110,000 spectators, the Kenyan pushed the Ethiopian legend the entire way before ultimately finishing just short of gold - just 0.09 seconds off - in an iconic battle between two legends of the sport.

“I remember it like it was yesterday,’’ Tergat told NewsCorp on Wednesday.

The now retired Paul Tergat in Sydney

“I remember the stadium It was filled to capacity. I have never sense a stadium so full.’’

Tergat said while he has been a semi regular visitor to Australia he has never been to the scene of his memorable silver medal since leaving the stadium that night in September 2000.

Athletics - Ethiopian athlete Haile Gebreselassie winning mens 10000m race with Paul Tergat coming second at Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. a/ct

“It is very emotional for me,’’ he said.

“For me that was my last track event of my career so it has a lot of significance to me.

“It’s very special.’’

Now in Bathurst ahead of the weekend’s world championships, Tergat identified Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei, the defending champion, as the man to beat.

But he also believes Kenyan Kibiwott Kandie is a contender for the crown on Australian soil.

“I think the weather will play a key role in the performances,’’ he said.

“Cheptegei, it may be his last time, he wants to make a point before he moves to road racing.

“But Kandie, he may pull a surprise.’’

Racing in the world championship event will be conducted on Saturday afternoon.