London 2012: Haile Gebrselassie considers Olympic options - BBC News
Haile Gebrselassie has not ruled out the possibility of qualifying for the 10,000m at this summer's Olympics.
The 39-year-old said his Olympic dream was over after failing to win a place in Ethiopia's marathon team.
But the two-time Olympic 10,000m champion is considering his options ahead of a 10,000m race in Hengelo, the Netherlands, on 27 May that will serve as the Ethiopian Olympic trial.
He said it would be "wonderful" to compete in London.
The veteran is cautious about his chances of finishing one of the two fastest Ethiopians in the race in order to qualify for the Olympic team - but told BBC World Service Sport that his enthusiasm for the Games remains undimmed.
"I wish to take part in the Olympics because it's London," said Gebrselassie, who has won four World 10,000m titles.
"I believe London is going to host one of the best Olympics Games. These Olympics are going to be very special.
Haile Gebrselassie's medal haul
1993 World Championships: Gold (10,000m), Silver (5,000m)
1995 World Championships: Gold (10,000m)
1996 Olympic Games: Gold (10,000m)
1997 World Championships: Gold (10,000m)
1999 World Championships: Gold (10,000m)
2000 Olympic Games: Gold (10,000m)
2001 World Championships: Bronze (10,000m)
2003 World Championships: Silver (10,000m)
"The organisation here is so perfect and the people organise such wonderful races. I don't want to miss the Olympics, even if it's to watch."
While in no doubt that qualifying for the Ethiopian team will be difficult, Gebrselassie also knows that claiming a third Olympic gold in London would be an even greater challenge.
"If I qualify for the 10,000 metres, don't forget who will be there this year. Not just Kenyans and Ethiopians, also athletes like Mo Farah - they are stronger," he admitted.
"If Farah is in the same shape like last year he will be the one. Kenenisa Bekele will be strong too but there are many others."
Gebrselassie also spoke about the difficulties of facing up to the end of his competitive racing career ahead of running in Sunday's 10k Great Manchester Run, which he has won in each of the last three years.
"If you think about retiring then you retire automatically. It's the mind, not the body," said the 39-year-old.
"I don't want to miss a single race. It doesn't matter which one, a race is a race. I want to win each and every race - and if I don't win then at least run a good time."
The 2012 Great Manchester Run will be live on BBC Two at 10:00 BST on Sunday 20 May.
London 2012 torch relay starts in Britain - Hindustan Times
The flame arrived in Britain from Greece on Friday and was flown to Land's End, the southwesterly tip of England, on Saturday by a Royal Navy helicopter before it was used to light the torch for the start of the 8,000-mile (12,875-kilometre) relay.
Ainslie, who has won gold medals in sailing at the last three Olympics, then walked just 300 metres, allowing some of the hundreds of spectators lining the route in the morning sunshine to touch the gold-coloured torch.
The yachtsman, wearing the number 001 on his T-shirt as the first torchbearer, then passed on the torch to 18-year-old Anastassia Swallow, a surfer who is hoping that her sport will one day become an Olympic discipline.
The torch will be carried by 8,000 people as it makes its way around the United Kingdom, with its final destination the Olympic Stadium in east London for the opening ceremony on July 27.
From June 3-7, it will visit Northern Ireland and then the Republic of Ireland -- the only country outside the United Kingdom on the torch route.
London calling! Chelsea bid to become first capital club to win Champions League - Daily Mail
By Dan Ripley
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For Chelsea, the Champions League final against Bayern Munich presents an opportunity for the club to win the competition for the first time in their history.
Only since 2003, when Roman Abramovich started bankrolling the club financially, has the dream really seemed possible for Blues fans, who in the last nine years have seen enough near misses.
But it’s not just Chelsea who could see their first crowning moment as Europe’s kings – it’s the city of London too.
German mission: Chelsea face Bayern in Munich on Saturday night
England’s capital has its fair share of top football teams - without failure it serves up plenty of London derbies in the Premier League each year.
But since the formation of the European Cup in 1955, only three London sides have played in Europe’s premier club competition with Tottenham and Arsenal also appearing.
Along with the Blues, they too have come close to sealing Europe’s biggest prize for the capital, but have also suffered heart-breaking failure.
Here, Sportsmail assesses how London’s trio have fared among Europe’s elite...
Chelsea
Times appeared: 10
Best result: Finalists (2008)
Worst result: Last 16 (2006 and 2010)
Heartache: Chelsea lost the 2008 final to Manchester United
In a sign of the changing times, league champions Chelsea declined to take part in the first ever European Cup tournament and didn’t make their maiden appearance until reaching the quarter-finals in 2000.
They have been a permanent fixture since 2003, reaching four-semi finals before this season, but it’s the 2008 final in Moscow that still hurts fans.
Having already missed out on the league title to Manchester United, Avram Grant’s side went to penalties against the Red Devils and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
John Terry could have won the trophy for Chelsea but hit the post with his spot-kick after slipping, before United recovered to triumph in the competition for a third time.
Arsenal
Times appeared: 16
Best result: Finalists (2006)
Worst result: Group stage (1999 and 2000)
Seeing red: Jens Lehmann (left) was sent off as Arsenal lost to Barcelona in the 2006 final
Before the Champions League era started in 1992, Arsenal only twice featured on the biggest stage, being eliminated in the 1972 quarter-finals and the second round 20 years later.
Since 1998 the Gunners have contested every single campaign but have only once visited the final despite getting out of the first group stage in each of the last 12 seasons.
The 2005/06 campaign is the closest Arsenal have been to becoming top dogs. Arsene Wenger’s side reached the Paris final after setting a record number of 10 consecutive clean sheets before losing 2-1 to Barcelona.
The Gunners also reached the semi-finals in 2009 but were thoroughly outclassed over two legs by Manchester United, losing 4-1 on aggregate.
Missing out: Arsenal were knocked out by AC Milan this year
Capital winners
Real Madrid (9) 1956-1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002.
Ajax Amsterdam (4) 1971-1973, 1995
Benfica (2) 1961, 1962.
Steaua Bucharest (1) 1986
Red Star Belgrade (1) 1991
Tottenham
Times appeared: 2
Best result: Semi-finalists (1962)
Worst result: Quarter-finalists (2011)
Spurs don’t have the staying power to make the Champions League a habit but have made a real fight in the only two times they have featured.
A controversial semi-final defeat against Benfica ended their hopes in 1962, with Bill Nicholson’s side crashing out 4-3 on aggregate after seeing three goals contentiously disallowed over the two legs.
Real hiding: Spurs lost to Madrid in last year's quarter-final
It wasn’t until 2010 that Spurs returned to the biggest stage where they starred in the tournament, topping a group that contained holders Inter Milan – even defeating the Italian giants along the way.
In the last 16 they shut-out AC Milan to progress 1-0 over two legs before crashing to a 5-0 aggregate defeat against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
100 marks Steve Marks, can someone elaborate on why Chels missed out on 1955 inspite of having won the league and having an excellent team , one actually expects facts from reporters can't blame DM afterall they are anti-chelsea ....atleast they have got the stats right
- Suresh , Chennai & India (brown and proud), 19/5/2012 11:57
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