Ban on Russia unfair on clean athletes: Bekele

Olympic and World champion Kenenisa Bekele believes the clean athletes have been hard done by the provisional suspension of the All-Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF) from international competition by International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Bekele, the most accomplished runner in IAAF World Cross Country Championships history, felt it was not fair to suspend the whole country because of some dope offenders.

"Not all of them are doping. There are many clean athletes, their career will get damaged. I think it is not fair to ban a country. People who have cheated should be banned. As a sportsman, I feel for the athletes of Russia," said Bekele, who is the the event ambassador of the 8th Airtel Delhi Half Marathon here on Sunday.

World and Olympic record holder in 5,000 and 10,000 metres, Bekele has been hampered by a spate of injuries since last five years. After a forgettable 2012 Olympics, where he finished fourth in the 10000M event, behind his brother Tariku, the 33-year-old bounced back with his first race of 2013, the Great Ireland Run, for a second time with a timing of 60:09, beating Mo Farah by just one second. He then made a successful marathon debut in Paris in 2014 with a record-breaking 2:05:04 victory.

However, injuries returned, forcing him out of the Dubai Marathon in January and later from the London Marathon before which he had an injury to his right Achilles tendon. The 33-year-old admitted making mistakes causing frequent injuries but said he won’t give up easily. “I want to enjoy the sports more, I want to participate in Olympics and World Championship in future. Injury has been a problem for the last five years and it is tough but I won't give up and hopefully make a comeback,” said Bekele.

"I had made mistakes. When you are in good shape, you feel positive you don't think about it. This time, it is too late. If I would have treated myself earlier, consulted by physio may be I could have been injury-free but you can’t help at time in life.”

Talking about his coming events the three-time Olympic gold medallist said: "I have a small injury. So, I will see how I recover and then take a call on how I can participate in London and Tokyo Marathons."

Bekele was all praise for British runner Farah, who recently added more glitter to his tally at the 2015 World Championships.  "He is a great athlete. He is at the top now. What he did is great but what he will do in future, we have to wait and see," said Bekele.