Gebrselassie reconsiders Olympic marathon snub: BBC

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — Ethiopian world record holder Haile Gebrselassie may yet run in the marathon at the Beijing Olympics, but only if organisers agree to move the race away from the city centre.

Earlier this week the 34-year-old, an asthma sufferer, expressed concern that the Chinese capital's notorious pollution could damage his health and even bring his stellar career to a premature end.

His agent Jos Hermans told AFP that he was "99 percent sure" that the legendary athlete would not compete in the marathon for those reasons.

But BBC Sport reported Thursday that a window of opportunity still existed.

"I do not want to rule anything out at this point," Gebrselassie was quoted as saying.

"This decision is not about me. It is about all athletes...