Legend Bekele planning world champs return

Tue, 14 Jun 22:22:00 2011

Ethiopian world record holder Kenenisa Bekele plans to return from a year-long calf injury in time to defend his 10,000 metres world championship in July.

The multiple Olympic and world gold medallist has not raced since January 2010 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, told Reuters in a telephone from the Netherlands.

The decision puts on the line a remarkable streak for Bekele, who has never lost a 10,000 metres race on the track and is considered one of the all-time great distance runners.