Gebrselassie pulls out of marathon
 |  Gebrselassie has been troubled by persistent Achilles problems in recent years. |
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LONDON, England -- Ethiopian great Haile Gebrselassie and former Olympic and world champion Gezahegne Abera have pulled out of the London Marathon.
Gebrselassie, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 10,000 meters, withdrew Tuesday because of tendonitis in his left Achilles tendon.
Gebrselassie, who has never won a major marathon, said the injury had improved but had interrupted his training for the April 17 race.
"I am really sorry to take this decision," he said. "Firstly, because I was really keen on running a marathon again. Secondly, because I am missing the opportunity of running in the greatest marathon field ever assembled in a city-marathon."
Gebrselassie has a three-year contract with London and said he expected to run next year.
He finished third on his international marathon debut in London three years ago in a time of two hours six minutes and 45 seconds - the fastest-ever performance by a marathon debutant.
Abera, the 2000 Olympic marathon gold medalist from Morocco, had surgery on an Achilles tendon last autumn and said he was not ready to compete.
"After not being able to defend my Olympic title, I was looking forward to London as the next best thing," he said.
"I have recovered from my Achilles surgery from last fall and have been training well, but at this moment I am not at the level it takes to compete in London."
The field still includes Paul Tergat, who has the world's best time at the distance, and fellow Kenyan Sammy Korir, who has the second quickest time over 26.2 miles (42.2 kilometers).
The field also includes Kenya's Evans Rutto, Athens Olympic champion Stefano Baldini of Italy, world champion Jaouad Gharib of Morocco, New York City marathon winner Hendrik Ramaala of South Africa, and two-time London winner Abdelkader el Mouaziz or Morocco.
