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Mar-23-2005
KEFLEZIGHI WITHDRAWS FROM LONDON MARATHON
by David Monti
(c) Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
Olympic Marathon silver medalist Meb Keflezighi has withdrawn from the Flora
London Marathon, according to his management firm, Global Sports
Communications.
"During his preparation (in California), partly in San Diego and partly in
Mammoth Lakes, Meb suffered from some small injuries," said Michel Boeting
of Global Sports Communications in an e-mail message to RRW. "Therefore, he
doesn't see any perspective for a decent performance during the London
Marathon."
Keflezighi, who ran three marathons last year, finished second in all of
them: the U.S. Olympic Trials, the Olympic Games and the ING New York City
Marathon. His Olympic medal was the first by an American man in the
marathon since Frank Shorter won the silver medal in Montreal in 1976.
"The London Marathon is a top event where the world's best runners come
together for top-performances," said Keflezighi in a prepared statement.
"At this point there is no use to run
London as I can't give London the performance they deserve. At the moment I
can train, but to run London now will jeopardize my future plans."
Keflezighi, 29, is holds multiple U.S. records, including 10,000m (27:13.98)
and 20 km on the road (58:57). His best time in the marathon is 2:09:53 set
in New York last November.
"I would like to thank Dave Bedford and the Flora London Marathon for the
opportunity
they gave me," Keflezighi's statement continued. "I hope to come back in
the future as it is one of my objectives in my career to run well in
London."
Bob Larsen, Keflezighi's coach, will work with him to determine their
revised competitive schedule for the rest of the year. He plans to compete
in the U.S. Athletics Championships in June so that he can qualify for the
IAAF World Championships in Athletics where he would like to contest the
10,000m. Boeting also said that a fall marathon is likely for Keflezighi,
but he has not yet decided which one.
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