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Athletics

Beijing pollution forces Gebrselassie out of marathon

10/03/2008

Marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie has pulled out of the race at the 2008 Beijing Olympics over fears the city's air pollution would damage his health.

The Ethiopian suffers from asthma and pulled out of last year's London Marathon because of the problem.

The 34-year-old said he will instead chase a third gold medal in the 10,000 metres in Beijing, providing he qualifies.

Gebrselassie grabbed 10,000m gold at Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000, before trailing home fifth in Athens four years ago.

"The pollution in China is a threat to my health and it would be difficult for me to run 42 kilometres in my current condition," he told Reuters.

"But I'm not pulling out of the Olympic event in Beijing altogether. I plan to participate in the 10,000 metres."

Gebrselassie's withdrawal heightens concerns that Beijing's notorious smog will not be cleared in time for the Games later this year.

International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge has said events, such as the marathon, could be rescheduled if contingency measures to deal with the smog did not have the desired effect.

The marathon world record holder called on China to deal with the problem, saying that pollution "would be a hazard to athletes, seriously affecting their performances".