ETHIOPIAN distance star Kenenisa Bekele said on Monday he was uncertain of competing in the World Cross Championships in Poland later this month owing to a calf injury.

The 27 year old was forced to withdraw from the 3 000m indoor meet in Lievin, France, on Friday citing the recurrence of the injury.

"I am not sure whether I’ll participate in Poland. At the moment, my chances are 50-50,” he told AFP in a phone interview.

This year’s Championships will be held in Bydgoszcz, Poland, on March 28, and Bekele was tipped to clinch a record seventh victory.

"I’ve started training now but I wouldn’t say I am fit enough to compete at this stage,” he added.

The reigning 5 000m and 10 000m Olympic champion has been dogged by the injury since finishing fourth at the 9km Edinburgh cross-country race in January.

Bekele also blamed his rare defeat on fatigue and lack of training.

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