(Reuters) – Ethiopia’s two greatest track runners Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele could meet over 10,000 metres at the Beijing Olympics.
“It’s up to the federation, but they could end up together in the 10 kms. It’s a big possibility,” their manager Jos Hermens said in Edinburgh shortly after Bekele won his sixth world long-course cross country title on Sunday.
Gebrselassie’s fitness in a 10,000 metres race at Hengelo on May 24th will be a big factor.
Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele
So too will Bekele’s choice of events for Beijing. He has yet to decide whether to defend his Olympic 10,000 metres title, chase gold in the 5,000 where he was the silver medallist in Athens four years ago or tackle both races.
“I can’t say this far ahead but to do both would not be easy,” Bekele said. “The pollution might mean I would have to focus on one.”
Gebrselassie’s course is much clearer. The world marathon record holder is bypassing the longer race at the Games because he is concerned the pollution could affect his health.
The 1996 and 2000 Olympic 10,000 metres champion and former world record holder hopes to qualify for Beijing at that distance with a strong Hengelo showing. He has no road races planned until then.
“He has to catch up with some speed work,” Hermens said. “He needs the track training.”
Hermens said Bekele was likely to run a 5,000 at Hengelo. The current 5,000 and 10,000 metres world record holder also wants to compete in the African championships from April 30th to May 4th on home soil in Addis Ababa.
“It’s a bit close to this so it won’t be easy but I do believe I have to take part, though I’m not sure what distance I will run,” he said.
Bekele has never run outdoors in the United States but that is likely to change in June.
The Olympic champion is working on plans to compete in the June 8th Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, Hermens said.
“He knows he needs to be there,” his manager added.
Bekele was scheduled to compete over two miles last year in the meeting which is heavily supported by his sponsor Nike, but withdrew because of lack of fitness.
“It is too early for sure to say what he might run,” Hermens said.
Meeting director Tom Jordan also confirmed Bekele was expected in Eugene.
“I do anticipate he will be competing in the Prefontaine Classic, but I do not know at what distance,” Jordan said.