Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele all set for London 2012 London Olympics

The Olympic defending champion for the over 5,000 to 10,000 metres event, Kenenisa Bekele, has recently declared publically that he is completely prepared to defend his title at the upcoming London 2012 Olympic Games.

The declaration of the defending champion has put Mo Farah at unease who plans to take the gold medal for himself this time around at the international sporting event.

Bekele declared his intention to stay the Olympic champion for the next four years while he was addressing a conference in Edinburgh, “The last two years were a bad time for me because I was injured for such a long time. But now I’m getting better and I’m pain-free. I’m fitter than I was in 2011 and healthy. In 2012, I think I will have a good season. If I have a good result at the next Olympics it will be special. Nobody has won [the 10,000m] at three Olympics.”

Before Bekele takes on the Olympics, he will make a show of his skills while taking part in the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country event. The marathon race will give a good idea of the standing of the defending Olympic champion.

It has been long since Bekele was able to prove his mettle in the world of marathon racing. The first time that the Ethiopian athlete was able to come into the lime light was way back in 2004 when Bekele took part in the 10,000m race in the Athens Olympics. The Ethiopian was able to win the gold medal in the event.

The upcoming Olympic Games will present quite a challenge to Bekele who will be up against some of the best racers. The line-up includes Asbel Kiprop as well as Brimin Kipruto, both of whom are Kenyans. Kiprop is the Olympic champion for the 1500m race event while Kipruto has the honour of being the Olympic champion 3,000m race event. Apart from this, Eliud Kipchoge, who secured himself a silver medal when Bekele became champion, will also be taking part in the upcoming Olympic Games.

The Olympic Games are scheduled to commence from July 27, 2012.