ATHLETICS: Haile Gebrselassie plans to run the 10,000m at the World Championships in Paris in August in an attempt to reclaim the title he lost in Edmonton in 2001. "I have decided to leave the marathon until at least after Paris but I would never want to leave my career at that event with a defeat (London Marathon, 2002)," said Gebrselassie.

He is planning to compete in Birmingham this month as part of his preparation for the world indoors there in March when he will run the 3,000m. In the Indoor grand prix on February 21st he will make an attempt at the world two-mile record of 8:09.66 set by his countryman Haylu Mekonnen four years ago.

"Birmingham is almost like my home town," he said. "I remember running here in 1999 when it seemed half the spectators were Ethiopians. There is a very special atmosphere here. I love it."