Record-Holder In Marathon May Not Run Race In Beijing - Houston Chronicle

[hatrack]

BRUSSELS, Belgium — The pollution and heat at the Beijing Olympics may scare off at least one marquee athlete. Marathon world record-holder Haile Gebrselassie is considering skipping that race.

The Ethiopian distance great could still try to compete in the shorter 10,000 meters, an event in which he has won two Olympic gold medals.

"We have our doubts," Jos Hermens, Gebrselassie's manager, said today in a telephone interview. "It is an extremely dangerous marathon." On a normal day, Beijing's pollution exceeds by nearly five times the safety benchmark set by the World Health Organization. "He has a bit of a lung condition as well," Hermens said about Gebrselassie's pollen allergy. "So, all in all, is it worth it?"

Gebrselassie would be a favorite in the marathon on the final day of the Olympics. But Hermens is worried about heat stroke, which can leave lasting damage for an athlete. The 10,000 meters is less punishing, and Gebrselassie will likely try to qualify for the strong Ethiopian team at the shorter distance.

EDIT

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5475039.html

[NNadir]

1. Well this is an amazing tale. n/t.

[hogwyld]

2. The real problem is

That he's obviously some pampered wimp. :sarcasm:

[losthills]

3. The real problem is...

the rest of the world lacks the guts to boycott this sad spectacle....