Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – World marathon record holder and two-time Olympic and four-time World 10,000m champion Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia today (12) announced that he intends to compete in the 2008 FBK Thales Games - IAAF World Athletics Tour - in Hengelo, the Netherlands on 24 May in his bid to make Ethiopia’s 10,000m team for the Beijing Olympics in China.

The FBK Thales Games is an IAAF Grand Prix status meeting as part of the 2008 IAAF World Athletics Tour.

The 34-year-old, who on Monday announced that he will step down from the road distance to return to the track over the 10,000m, will face a strong challenge to earn one of three qualification spots on his country’s Olympic team.

“I would not have made the decision if I was not confident of my ability… I am going to compete in Beijing,” confirmed Gebrselassie who has recently increased his track preparations to his road regimen.

In addition to reigning Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele and silver medallist Sileshi Sihine, Gebrselassie will be facing a battle against a host of up and coming young runners including All-African Games 10,000m silver medallist Tadesse Tola and Abebe Dinkessa, a runner with a 10,000m personal best of 26:30.......