Calf injury has ruled out Berlin marathon champion Kenenisa Bekele on Sunday’s hyped London marathon.
Bekele, who was to face off with world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge among other shocked the world on Friday when he announced his withdrawal.
The Global Sports Communication management where Bekele is managed announced: that the eagerly anticipating a ‘battle royale’ between the world’s two fastest marathon runners at the Virgin Money London Marathon this Sunday.
Bekele (2:01:41) was ready to take on fellow NN Running Teammate and world record holder Kipchoge (2:01:39) in a race for the ages. An unfortunate calf injury has forced Kenenisa to withdraw from the race.
“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 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 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. I will take time to recover and become fit again and I hope to be back in London next year.”