Ethiopian world record holder Kenenisa Bekele plans to return from a year-long calf injury in time to defend his 10,000m world championship next month, his manager said on Tuesday.
The multiple Olympic and world gold medalist has not raced since January last year because of a ruptured muscle in his right calf, but expects to run two or three tune-up races next month before seeking his fifth consecutive 10,000m world title at the August world championships in Daegu, South Korea.
“He will run the 10,000 at Daegu, that is for sure unless something happens,” Jos Hermens said by telephone from the Netherlands.
The decision puts on the line a remarkable streak for Bekele, who has never lost a 10,000m race on the track and is considered one of the all-time great distance runners.
His 12 victories at the distance since 2003 include two Olympic and four world titles. He also holds the world record at both 5,000m and 10,000m.
If he wins at Daegu, the 29-year-old would also become the first runner at any distance to win five consecutive outdoor world championships.
Five months of successful training have given Bekele the confidence that he can add to his string of 20 individual global track and cross country gold medals, Hermens said.
“He has been really doing a long build-up, [originally] to make a base for 2012 [London Olympics],” Hermens said. “But it looks like now he is OK for Daegu.”
Races at either 3,000m or 5,000m next month will help Bekele’s camp decide for sure.
A final determination could come as late as a week before the worlds since Bekele, as the defending champion, has a wild card into the championships.
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