Bekele: 'My body needs more training'

Kenemisa Bekele is very ambitious about his participation in the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme. The 10,000m runner aims at "a time between 26'35 and 26'45". Which would land him a world year best performance.

At the World Championships in Daegu, Bekele had to bow out of the race halfway. No fifth consecutive title in the 10,000 meters for the Ethiopian Lion King. He returned home disappointed. A fortnight on, he addresses the press in Brussels in a relaxed manner.

Bekele has been out of competition due to a calf injury. Daegu had been his first race on a track in nearly three years. "Before the race you know it will be difficult to extend the title, but one always hopes. In a 10,000 meter race anything is possible. If it would have been a very slow race than I would have stand a chance. "

"Now I was able to be part of the leading group for 5 kilometers only. In the meantime I have been training hard. 'My body needs more training' Things will be a lot better at the Memorial. I'm confident about that and should I be spared of any injury, I most certainly will defend my Olympic title in London. "