Ethiopia's Bekele is untouchable over 5,000m

The 23-year-old Ethiopian clocked 12 minutes 40.18 seconds, just under three seconds outside the existing mark and well ahead of countryman Abiyote Abate.

Ghana's Aziz Zakari just out edged Francis Obikwelu of Portugal to win the men's 100m in a time of 10.04 seconds.

France's Ladji Doucoure upset world champion Allen Johnson and Olympic champion Liu Xiang in the 110m hurdles.

The 22-year-old Doucoure, the European Indoor 60m hurdles winner, finished in a time of 13.02 seconds, a new French record.

America's Johnson finished in 13.04 seconds while Liu Xiang was timed at 13.06.

In the 100m, Zakari was one-hundreth of a second ahead of Obikwelu while Jamaica's Dwight Thomas was third in 10.11.

Former world record-holder Maurice Greene pulled out of the event with an injured hamstring while current record-holder Asafa Powell did not race.

Olympic champion Justin Gatlin of America also missed the event.

I was hoping I might smash my personal best but I think that was a little wishful thinking Jo Pavey

Two weeks ago, Zakari ran 9.99 and finished second to Jamaica's Powell when he set a world record of 9.77 in Athens.

In the women's' event, France's Christine Arron won with a time of 11.03.

Bahamas' Chandra Sturrup finished two-hundredths of a second behind and American Lauren Williams was third in 11.16.

Americans swept the 400 hurdles, James Carter leading the way in the men's race with a time of 48.05 seconds.

France's Naman Keita was second in 48.27 and Periklis Iakovakis of Greece placed third.

Lashinda Demus won the women's event in 53.85, beating Anna Jesien of Poland - who set a national record of 53.96.

Britain's Jo Pavey finished third in the women's 3,000m in a time of 8mins 34.66secs behind the Kenyan pair of Edith Masai and Isabella Ochichi.

Pavey has asked the British selectors if she can miss next next weekend's World Championships trials in Manchester so she can get a fast 5,000 metres race under her belt in Rome.

"I'm hoping they'll agree to my request. I really need to get a really competitive 5,000 under my belt before the World Championships and Rome is the only opportunity I have.

"I was hoping I might smash my personal best but I think that was a little wishful thinking," said Pavey.

"I'm also feeling no effects of the treatment I had for the injury which kept me out away from the European Cup," said Pavey. "Hopefully I can now stay free of any other problems."

The Paris event is the first event in this year's US$1m (�565,000) Golden League series.