Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele Will Not Participate In Olympic 5,000-10,000 Double In Beijing

Jojo Doria - AHN

Delden, Netherlands (AHN) - Kenenisa Bekele has ruled out Friday an Olympic 5,000-10,000 meters double in the Beijing Games in August, citing tough competition and tight schedule.

Beckele, who came in behind Moroccon legend Hicham El Guerrouj by 0.2 seconds in the 5,000m in the 2004 Athens Games, will instead focus his attention in defending his 10,000m title in the coming Summer Olympics in Beijing.

"It's very tough to run a double at the Olympics," Bekele told RunnersWeb.com "I ran many kilometers in a few days in Athens, and I lost a lot of power."

Bekele, who according to many finished second in the 5,000 due to heavy schedules, will still attempt to surpass his 5000m world mark of 12:37.35 in Saturday' Fanny Blankers-Koen Games in the eastern Dutch city. On June 8, Bekele will also attempt to match if not surpass his 10,000m mark of 26:17.53 at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.

"Both records are tough," Bekele told RunnersWeb.com., explaining that maintaining a 60 to 61 second per lap pace over 5000m on his own is no easy chore, a problem he has had in recent years.

According to Bekele's manager Jos Hermens, the selection process for the Ethiopian national squad is difficult considering the number of athletes competing for the three-man team. But Hermens said that Bekele barring any event that might hamper the runner's present condition is already assured of landing a spot in the team.

"I think if I'm focusing on the record, it's better for me," Bekele, who prefers to make a stab at a solo record rather than being forced, told RunnersWeb.com.