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Gebrselassie Reconfirms Intent to Run Tokyo Marathon

http://www.47news.jp/CN/201011/CN2010111501000936.html

translated by Brett Larner

Holder of the men's marathon world record of 2:03:59, Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie wrote on his Twitter feed on Nov. 15, "Running is in my blood. I have decided to keep running competitively," officially reversing his recent announcement of retirement.

In a telephone interview the same day Gebrselassie's agent Jos Hermans confirmed, "Haile will run the Tokyo Marathon. His knee problem is not serious. With another week's rest he'll be able to get back to training." He said Gebrselassie will travel to Japan in February as previously planned.

Aged 37, Gebrselassie dropped out partway through the Nov. 7 New York City Marathon with an injury to his right knee. Following the race Gebrselassie abruptly announced his retirement. Hermans commented, "Right after the race he was very emotional and in the heat of his disappointment blurted out that he was retiring, but he still has plenty of running left in him and has no reason to quit yet."

Known as the Emperor, Gebrselassie first set the marathon world record with a 2:04:26 at the 2007 Berlin Marathon. He returned a year later to break his own mark and become the first man under 2:04.
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Comments

Anonymous said…
Wow, that's big news!


Small typo:
Aged 37, Gebrselassie dropped out partway through the Nov. 7 New York Marathon with an injury to his right knee.
(not Tokyo)
November 15, 2010 at 11:23 PM
Anonymous said…
It's awesome that Haile is coming back for Tokyo. I'm sure its not the deciding factor for him, but it would be interesting to know what his appearance fee is for running Tokyo.

A correction. In the third paragraph it states Gebreselassie dropped out of the "Nov. 7 Tokyo Marathon." This should probably read "New York City Marathon."

Keep up the good work.
November 15, 2010 at 11:25 PM
Brett Larner said…
Whoops, that's what you get for hurrying to get something out.
November 15, 2010 at 11:41 PM
Brett Larner said…
Thinking about Wanjiru's comments last week after Haile retired, I sure hope Wanjiru shows up for the chance he wanted.
November 15, 2010 at 11:50 PM
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