Bekele accepts to run at African championships

04 May, 2008

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - Double world record holder Kenenisa Bekele has accepted to run in Sunday's 5,000 metres final at the African athletics championships, Ethiopian state media said on Saturday.

Earlier this week Bekele refused to contest the men's 10,000 metres, of which he is the reigning Olympic and world champion, saying he was not ready to run so soon after winning his sixth title at the world cross country championships in Edinburgh in March.

But he seems to have had a change of mind about the 5000 metres, especially after seeing the great scenes at the Addis Ababa national stadium since the African championships got underway last Wednesday.

"I am eager to run before Ethiopia's tremendous attendance, though I do not think I have made sufficient training," Bekele told the national news agency, ENA.

The 25-year will be favourite to win the race where his younger brother Tariku will also be in contention.