Ethiopian Olympic trials

Having such depth of marathon running talent as Ethiopia does can pose its own problems – like how to choose three of them who may best represent the country at the Tokyo Olympic Games in three months’ time.

The plan was for select men’s and women’s fields to fight it out in a trial in a small-scale race in Switzerland on 2 May but this has now been revised to a similar race just outside of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, (at 2400m altitude) on 1 May. The first three finishers in the trial are due to be selected. In order to limit the damage racing a marathon flat-out so soon before the main event is due the race distance will be limited to 35km.

It is anticipated that the field in each race could feature as few as six runners. Even then, injury concerns over some of the foremost talents (Kenenisa Bekele, Mosinet Geremew and Birhanu Legese) – and the possibility that they might withdraw – has led to Mule Wasihun, Getaneh Molla and Kinde Alanaw being added to the field alongside Sisay Lemma, Lelisa Desisa and Shura Kitata.

The women’s field is expected to comprise Roza Dereje, Birhane Dibaba, Degitu Azimeraw, Zeineba Yimer, Tigist Girma, and Ashete Bekere.