Thursday, March 14, 2013
Injured Dibaba pulls out of London Marathon
LONDON (Reuters) - Ethiopia's Olympic 10,000 metres champion Tirunesh Dibaba has withdrawn from next month's London Marathon with a shin injury, organisers said on Thursday.
Dibaba had been set for her debut over the 42.195-km distance but an old lower leg problem has flared up during training for the race.
Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba celebrates as she crosses the finish line in the women's 10000m final during the London 2012 Olympics Games at the Olympic Stadium August 3, 2012. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson"I have been in training for the London Marathon, but the increase in mileage has caused a flare up of my previous lower leg injury," she said in a statement.
"As a result, I won't be able to compete in this year's London Marathon but I look forward to making my marathon debut there next year."
Dibaba had been aiming to become the first Ethiopian woman to win the London race since her cousin Derartu Tulu in 2001.
Ethiopia's challenge in the women's race will now be spearheaded by Olympic champion Tiki Gelana who is running the London Marathon for the first time.
"Of course, it is disappointing to lose Tirunesh. She has been such a fantastic athlete on the track, and everyone was full of anticipation to see how well she performed in a marathon," race director Hugh Brasher said.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Alison Wildey)
- Gritty Indonesia give mighty China a huge scare
- BAM must stop rewarding mediocrity or be doomed
- Chong Wei urges team-mates to put Cup exit behind
- BAM secretary: It all depends on Kien Keat and Boon Heong now
- Yong-dae believes luckless run in world meet will end in Guangzhou
- Nicol David sails into quarter-finals of British Open in 35 minutes
- Malaysia to host 2016 World Table Tennis meet
- Kelly overcomes scare to clinch title in KLGCC
- Nor Aliyah smashes 18-year-old 200m record in MSSM meet
- Chin Chai will not take up offer as CNT committee chairman
- Ryan Palmer sizzles with 62 to seize lead at Colonial
- LPGA plans 12-hole rounds in water-logged Bahamas
- Ashour racks up 38th successive win
- Clock ticking for next golden generation
- Kingston leads, McIlroy in Wentworth woe
- Haas, Waldorf set pace at Senior PGA Championship
- Palmer takes control with a 62 at Colonial
- Yong-dae believes luckless run in world meet will end in Guangzhou
- Easier for Pandelela without Ruolin and Koltunova
- Hafizh hopes Aragorn will be a happy hunting ground
RSS
