Monday, March 10, 2008

Air pollution forces star to pull out of Olympic marathon


One of the world's top long distance runners has said he will not compete in the marathon at the Beijing Olympics because China's air pollution would pose an unacceptable risk to his health and future career.

In a major blow for the Chinese authorities, who have spent vast sums of money trying to tackle Beijing's pollution problem, the world record holder, Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, said he still intended to participate in the 10,000 metres but could not run in the 26-mile, 385-yard (42.2km) marathon.


Thirty-four year old Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia has said that he cannot compete 26 mile marathon of the Beijing olympics because of the pollution in the city. Gebrselassie suffers from asthma and believes that it would be too great a risk to participate in the marathon, but he still plans to run in the 10,000 meter race.

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