Gebrselassie sets dual goal
Ethiopian track superstar Haile Gebrselassie has set himself the dual goal of breaking the world record and winning the marathon at the 2008 Olympics in Peking.
Ethiopia’s double Olympic 10,000m champion Haile Gebrselassie has set the lofty double goal of breaking the world record and winning the marathon at the 2008 Olympics in Peking.
The double Olympic 10,000m champion posted the fastest time of the year – 2hr 5min 55sec – at Sunday’s 42.1 kilometre Berlin marathon, however he was left frustrated at failing to break Kenyan Paul Tergat’s world record of 2hr 4min 55sec.
When asked whether he would prefer the world record or Olympic glory, the 33 year old replied: “Both would be nice. Winning the Olympics with the record would be the ultimate.”
Tergat set his world record at the same marathon in September 2003 but Gebreselassie said the conditions had net been in his favour.
“The conditions needed to be 100 percent right. They were only 90 percent right in Berlin,” said the Ethiopian.
“I had the chance for the world record but the last five kilometres really hurt and I could not push on.
“It was too windy for a better time but I will break the record at some stage.”
Gebrselassie’s time was the seventh best time ever and his personal best in only the fourth marathon of his career.
“After a long time out it is difficult to get going again in training but I will be running 40 kilometres again in two or three weeks,” said Gebrselassie.
The four-time world champion will run his next marathon in London next year.