After failing to take part in the Qatar World 10km race, Rwanda’s long distance ace Dieudonne Disi has turned focus to FBK-Games due tomorrow in Hengelo, Netherlands. The 10.000m national champion told Times Sport that he decided to participate in the Hengelo Grand Prix on the expense of the Ablaham RSA 10 km race set for May 27 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. “My coach has lined up Hengelo Grand Prix for me instead of the Ablaham 10km race. I think this is the best race to give me better preparations for this year’s Beijing Olympic Games,” Disi said on Monday via e-mail. Disi further added that his late withdrawal from the Qatar World 10km race last weekend was due to fatigue. The 27-year-old finished fifth in the USA Lilac Blooms day 12km race early this month aimed at enhancing his preparations ahead of the Beijing Games. “I’m trying anything and everything possible to make sure am in the right shape for the Beijing Olympic,” the former RDF Kadogo stated. Currently, only him (Disi, 10.000m) and Epiphanie Nyirabarame (marathon) are the two athletes who have qualified for the Games. Meanwhile, World marathon record holder and two-time Olympic and four-time World 10,000m champion Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia is confirmed for tomorrow’s 2008 FBK-Games. Gebrselassie is bidding to make Ethiopia’s 10,000m team for the Beijing Olympics in China. The 34-year-old, who this month announced that he will step down from the road distance to return to the track over the 10,000m, will face a strong challenge to earn one of three qualification spots on his country’s Olympic team. In addition to reigning Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele and silver medalist Sileshi Sihine, Gebrselassie will be facing a battle against a host of up-coming young runners including All-African Games 10,000m silver medalist Tadesse Tola and Abebe Dinkessa, a runner with a 10,000m personal best of 26:30. Ends
