Haile Gebrselassie Fails Olympic Mark

Ethiopian Olympic marathon super star Haile Gebrselassie who turns 39 on Wednesday will not take part in the london 2012 summer marathon.

Gebrselassie has been unable to win a place in Ethiopia’s Olympic marathon team.

“Many Ethiopian athletes run 2:04 and Haile cannot run that any more. He has given up on the Olympics with pain in his heart,” said manager Jos Hermans.

Gebrselassie was a two-time Olympic 10,000m champion before switching to the 26-mile distance in 2004.

“Although I will not be taking part in the Olympic marathon I am still enjoying my athletics career and looking forward to coming to Manchester again and to a course which I love,” he said.

“It’s flat and really suits my running style while I must say the support I get from spectators, which I have enjoyed on every visit, really motivates me to do well.

The former world record holder had entered the Tokyo Marathon in February to achieve the required Olympic qualifying standard of 2hr 15min and to run quickly enough to secure his place in the three-man Ethiopian team for London.

But his time of 2hr 8min 17sec meant he is only the 19th fastest Ethiopian over 26.2 miles this year.

Gebrselassie, who beat Paula Radcliffe in the Vienna half marathon on Sunday despite giving the Briton a head start, has not given up competing, however, and will appear at next month’s Bupa Great Manchester Run.

Gebrselassie’s medals

1993 World Championships: Gold (10,000m), Silver (5,000m)

1995 World Championships: Gold (10,000m)

1996 Olympic Games: Gold (10,000m)

1997 World Championships: Gold (10,000m)

1999 World Championships: Gold (10,000m)

2000 Olympic Games: Gold (10,000m)

2001 World Championships: Bronze (10,000m)

2003 World Championships: Silver (10,000m)