NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 3 – Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele has pulled out of Sunday’s London Marathon due to a calf injury, his management NN Running confirmed on Friday evening.
Bekele was touted to compete for the London crown with world record holder and Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge in what was billed as the marathon of the century, but his withdrawal has now thrown all that to the wind.
“This race was so important to me. My time in Berlin last year gave me great confidence and motivation and I was looking forward to show that again, I have worked so hard for it. I realise many people around the world have been looking forward to this race and I am sorry to disappoint my fans, the organisers and my fellow competitors,” Bekele said in a short statement from his management.
Having come two seconds close to breaking Bekele’s world record at last year’s Berlin Marathon, many were anticipating the match up between two of the greats in distance running.
“It has been a tough preparation time with lockdown when I couldn’t have my NN team around me. I was in good shape but then I picked up a niggle in my left calf after two fast training sessions too close together in the last weeks of preparation.
“I have been having treatment every day since then and I truly believed I would be ready but today it is worse and I now know I cannot race on it.
“This race was so important to me. My time in Berlin last year gave me great confidence and motivation and I was looking forward to show that again, I have worked so hard for it. I know many people around the world have been looking forward to this race and I am sorry to disappoint my fans, the organisers and my fellow competitors. I will take time to recover and become fit again and I hope to be back in London next year,” Bekele further stated.
His withdrawal will now leave Kipchoge as the huge favorite for the race and sadly removes some shine off the eagerly anticipated event.
