Above: Haile Gebrselassie is hoping to win a medal in the
marathon at the 2012 London Olympics. (Peter Byrne/PA)

The Guardian
Anna Kessel

Sunday 15 May 2011

Haile Gebrselassie sighs, a long deep exhalation of air, as he leans back in his chair and remembers back to a strange few days in New York last November.

The 38-year-old says he still finds it hard to understand his emotional reaction when, running over Queensboro Bridge on the 16th mile of the marathon, he felt his knee give way. Somehow it was more than just his knee, something inside him snapped and, after a 20-year career in which he amassed two Olympic titles, four world titles and 27 world records, the greatest distance runner of all time suddenly decided enough was enough. Right then and there, the Ethiopian announced his retirement from competition. His revelation shocked athletics. Read more.
—

Related:
BBC: Haile Gebrselassie & Helen Clitheroe win in Manchester