Gebrselassie to skip Olympic marathon

Updated 12.48 Tue Mar 11 2008
Keywords: beijing, olympics, olympic games, marathon, paula radcliffe, haile gebrselassie, athletics, sport

Asthmatic long distance runner Haile Gebrselassie will not run in the marathon at the Olympic Games because the pollution in Beijing affects his health.

The Ethiopian hopes to compete in the 10,000 metres, which is held within the confines of the Olympic Stadium, but he will not run through the streets of Beijing.

"Beijing is difficult for me because of my health problem" - Haile Gebrselassie

He said: "Beijing is difficult for me because of my health problem. It's hot, humid and polluted and that is why I will not compete in a marathon.

"I'll try to run the 10,000 metres but first I have to qualify."

British marathon runner Paula Radcliffe also suffers from asthma and she has asked pollution experts to help her prepare for the Olympic marathon.

The International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has said the marathons and long-distance cycling events could be rescheduled if conditions become too bad.

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