Kenenisa Bekele to miss London Marathon because of calf injury

Addis Ababa, October 2, 2020 (FBC) -Kenenisa Bekele’s much-anticipated London Marathon duel with Eliud Kipchoge is off after the Ethiopian pulled out with a calf injury.

Kenenisa, 38, was just two seconds short of Kipchoge’s world record when he won the Berlin Marathon last year.

“I am very disappointed,” said Kenenisa.

“I picked up a niggle in my left calf after two fast training sessions too close together. I truly believed I would be ready but today it is worse and I now know I cannot race on it.”

He added: “This race was so important to me. My time in Berlin last year gave me great confidence and motivation.

“I am sorry to disappoint my fans, the organisers and my fellow competitors.”

Kenya’s Kipchoge is now the clear favourite to win his fifth London Marathon on Sunday.

Kenenisa withdrawal leaves compatriot Mosinet Geremew as the fastest rival to four-time winner Kipchoge.

Mosinet finished second to Kipchoge in last year’s London Marathon, 18 seconds off the Kenyan.

Source: BBC