Ethiopa’s Gebreselassie to miss Olympics marathon over pollution fears

March 10th, 2008 | EthioPolitics.com |

PARIS (AFP) — World record holder Haile Gebreselassie of Ethiopia looks set to miss the Beijing Olympics marathon as he fears his health could be endangered by the city’s pollution, his agent said Monday.

“He will probably not the run the marathon in Beijing. It’s not 100 percent sure but it looks like it because of the heat, humidity and the pollution,” Jos Hermans told AFP by telephone.

“Indeed it’s 99 percent sure. He doesn’t want to put his career in danger and he still wants to run at the 2012 Olympics in London.”

“His dream is to run in two hours and three minutes and to be the first to do that. It’s more important for him than to win another gold medal.”

Hermans said that Gebreselassie still intended to run in the 10,000 metres in Beijing but would first have to qualify for the Ethiopian team which will be selected after the May 24 meeting in Hengelo.

“I don’t know what he will do if he doesn’t qualify for the 10,000 metres,” he added.

The International Olympic Committee has already voiced concern over distance events at the Olympics in August and has said that the marathons could be called off if the conditions posed a danger to athletes’ health.


  1. 6 Responses to “Ethiopa’s Gebreselassie to miss Olympics marathon over pollution fears”

  2. By Senay Tewolde on Mar 10, 2008 | Reply

    I am not convinced of Haile`s official reasons for missing the Olympics in China. It looks that there may not be a lot of money in it since Haile as an athelt is after money at any cost. His love and drive for money are what have undermined his popularity among Ethiopians. It is also rumoured that he has close association with the regime of the TPLF.

  3. By Gelagle on Mar 10, 2008 | Reply

    You must be eritrean because an ethiopian will not speak of haile like that . he is our hero.

  4. By Anonymous on Mar 10, 2008 | Reply

    Whether he/she likes or hates him he is a world heritage!

  5. By Anonymous on Mar 11, 2008 | Reply

    Like the guy said… An Ethiopian wouldn’t talk of Haile the same way you did. you are clearly a hater. Sometimes it’s better not to say anything if you ain’t got nothing to say. Zip it.

  6. By Wosso on Mar 16, 2008 | Reply

    I am very ashamed to read such akind of word from a man, don’t you know Haile has a capacity in enforcing to change their thought because he is a world best atlete I feel you couldn’t walk even

  7. By enyew begize on Mar 18, 2008 | Reply

    Haile is a Hero and Legend of Ethiopian Athletics.He loves his country very much.If he do not feel comfortable with the pollution and the climate he has the right to cancel the marathon,coz there is a lot to do in life despite marathon.Real Ethiopians never comment biased on Hailes decision whatever it is.

    To Senay ,I think you and your confused leader Is-’high’-ass (I think he keeps on taking the drugs ,’high’ refers to that)have lost hope by now.you better ask excuse and join the motherland before you eat each other.You see? you should have celebrated celebrated ethiopian victory in olympic and worldwide copetitions had it not been for your baseless depart from your own motherland.I believe your ancestors were among the founders of the Great and Ancient Ethiopia.It is high time you understand that the Bahire Negash and the citizens (’eritreans”) has been cheated and has been used for the advantages of the hydropolitics of Egypt.Wake up friends.
    God Bless Ethiopia.

Post a Comment