Bekele doubt for World Cross Championships in Poland

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AFP) -- Ethiopian distance star Kenenisa Bekele said yesterday he was uncertain of competing in the World Cross Championships in Poland later this month owing to a calf injury.

The 27-year-old was forced to withdraw from the 3,000m indoor meet in Lievin, France on Friday citing the recurrence of the injury.

"I am not sure whether I'll participate in Poland. At the moment, my chances are 50-50," he told AFP in a phone interview.

This year's Championships will be held in Bydgoszcz, Poland, on March 28, and Bekele was tipped to clinch a record seventh victory.

"I've started training now but I wouldn't say I am fit enough to compete at this stage," he added.

The reigning 5,000m and 10,000m Olympic champion has been dogged by the injury since finishing fourth at the nine-kilometre Edinburgh cross-country race in January.

Bekele also blamed his rare defeat on fatigue and lack of training.

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