t ideal pace at the halfway point, and Ayana put in a short sprint to sap any confidence from her rivals.Steadily, the world record became a possibility. With each lap, Ayana built a massiv

RIO DE JANEIRO -- One world record, one Olympic gold. That done, Almaz Ayana can start thinking about her best event.Ayana of Ethiopia delivered a stunning start to track and field at the Olympics on Friday with a world record in the 10,000 meters, wiping away the competition just after the halfway point and striding away to win with effortless grace.After crossing the finish line, she raised her hands in triumph and then stopped, coming to realize what she had done in only her second 10,000 at an important meet: Her time of 29 minutes, 17.45, had shaved 14.33 seconds off the 1993 mark of Chinas Wang Junxia.It was not my plan, Ayana said. Once she got going, no plan was going to stop her.At age 24, she beat the best from a previous generation. Kenyas Vivian Cheruiyot, 32, a four-time long- distance world champion placed a distant second, 15.18 seconds behind. Ayanas 31-year-old teammate, Tirunesh Dibaba, took bronze.It was a bittersweet moment for Dibaba, who had been trying to become the first woman to win an individual event for three Olympics in a row. She barely stood a chance once Ayana got going, but worked to get another medal for Ethiopia.Still, she said, I now have a bronze for my son, dedicating the medal to one-year-old Natan.Dibaba and Ayana held hands afterward -- a symbolic transition to a new era.Running with Dibaba gave me the energy, she said.If David Rudisha of Kenya provided an iconic moment four years ago in the London Olympics with his world record in the 800, it could be tough to find a better race than Ayanas in Rio, with nine more days to go.And she has her favored 5,000 to come. She is convinced she still has enough in the tank for an encore. For the 5,000 I prepared well, and I dont think (running the 10,000) will make any difference. In Rome this spring, Ayana went within a second of the world mark in the 5,000, even though pace setters failed to set a steady pace.Fridays conditions were ideal -- cool and overcast with a damp track from morning rain. But the 60,000- capacity Olympic stadium was only a quarter full to see Ayanas accomplishment.The top 13 finishers all had milestones, with continental, national or personal records tumbling, perhaps making it one of the greatest womens long-distance races in history. Even double Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba had never run faster.Even though Kenya and Ethiopia are fierce rivals, it was the early strength of Alice Nawuwona that made Ayanas record run easier. The Kenyan delivered her at ideal pace at the halfway point, and Ayana put in a short sprint to sap any confidence from her rivals.Steadily, the world record became a possibility. 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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Theres no time for the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers to bemoan their latest misfortunes.They have a game to play.Four days after both teams lost in devastating fashion because of late-game blunders, the teams collide Thursday night at Bank of America Stadium with still plenty at stake in the NFC South.Thats one plus, Carolina coach Ron Rivera said. We dont have to dwell (on the loss) for very long.The Panthers (3-6) blew a 17-point lead and had two fourth-quarter turnovers that allowed the Kansas City Chiefs to escape with a 20-17 victory. New Orleans (4-5) was primed to knock off the Denver Broncos, but instead of a go-ahead extra-point kick the boot was blocked and returned for a two-point defensive conversion that resulted in New Orleans 25-23 setback.So for a pair of teams that looked ready to show movement in the standings, theyre suddenly headed in the wrong direction.The Thursday night tilt might be a tonic, at least for the team that comes out on top.I think its a good thing because all you want to do is get back on the field as fast as you can, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees said. Weve got to bounce back and find a way to get a win this week at Carolina.Any Super Bowl hangover for the Panthers is so far in the past because the team is in danger of missing the playoffs altogether this season.What weve done is put our backs completely against the wall, Rivera said. There is no room for error now. What we have to do is we have to go forward. I have to make sure we do that.The Panthers continue to insist that theres time to put it together. A two-game winning streak before the late follies against Kansas City was evident of that.Weve got a good team, Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly said. When you look at the season, its not where you want to be but its where were at now. Weve got to do our best to get this thing moving in the right direction.Theres a degree of optimism coming from the Panthers, who could benefit from other teams in the NFC South stalling at times as well.Theres no need to panic, Carolina quarterback Cam Newton said. When you look at it, whatevver our record is, its not good.dddddddddddd But yet we have a locker room full of winners and a locker room full of guys full of fight and I know I am willing to go to battle with those guys. I cant wait until Thursday.Yet the manner in which the Panthers and Saints lost last weekend means the team able to shake off those results best could be in the better situation for this weeks game.These guys care so much, Brees said, referring to his teammates and the reaction to the bizarre outcome against Denver.The Saints arent short on experience in tight games, something they figure will eventually pay off.Its frustrating. We work too hard, Saints receiver Willie Snead said. Were battle-tested, for sure. This is going to make us stronger.While time is crucial with the quick turnaround for the next game, the midway point of the season has passed and the goal is to avoid future missed opportunities.Its going to be a short week for us and we have to get it together, Snead said.While failing to defeat Denver was tough enough for the Saints, the next assignment is of utmost importance.Some lessons in our league are learned the hard way, New Orleans coach Sean Payton said. The key is we have a quick turnaround. Its important it doesnt affect the next game.The Saints were hampered by four turnovers in the Denver game, while both of Carolinas giveaways to Kansas City came in the fourth quarter.For Carolina, which dropped a 41-38 decision last month at New Orleans, avoiding a season sweep is among the factors that makes the outcome this week extra vital. The result of the first matchup of the season hinged on Saints kicker Wil Lutzs 52-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining.Further complicating things for the Panthers is that theyve gone 2/3 in home games and theyre 0-3 against NFC South opponents.This marks the return of Saints safety Roman Harper to Charlotte, where he played the last two seasons and started in a total of 37 regular-season and postseason games during that stretch. 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