Athletics: Olympians head for Capital

Kenenisa BEKELE will head a star-studded field including all of the reigning Olympic distance running champions at the Great Edinburgh XCountry in the New Year.

The Ethiopian, recognised as the world’s greatest ever cross country performer, will once again return to the Holyrood Park venue on January 7 where he will be joined by Kenyan stars Asbel Kiprop and Brimin Kipruto.

While Bekele became the first athlete ever to complete an Olympic 5000m and 10000m double for 28 years at the 2008 Beijing Games, Kiprop and Kipruto won the 1500m and 3000m steeplechase titles in the Bird’s Nest stadium.