Kenenisa Bekele takes stunning sprint win in Edinburgh (© Mark Shearman)
time double World Cross Country champion Kenenisa Bekele, who early this year declared he was unlikely to contest the 2007 World Cross, has announced he will return to defend his title at the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country - IAAF XC permit meeting - which takes place on 13 January 2007.
The entry of the World record holder for 5000m and 10,000m, sets up a tempting duel with his Australian rival, the World Championship 5000m bronze medallist, Craig Mottram.
When the two last met, an inspirational performance by Mottram saw him surprisingly defeat Bekele and successfully defend his IAAF World Cup 3000 metres title in Athens on 17 September. Mottram also lowered the Oceania record (7:32.19).
The meeting's elite athletics director, Matthew Turnbull, said: "It's a very tasty head-to-head and I'm certain likely to be the first time they have met since Mottram's shock win in Athens.
"Both know they will be facing each other but at the same time are well aware there will be several other global stars drafted in to make the race even more competitive."
Bekele needs no reminding of the quality of the opposition he will face in Holyrood Park after almost losing a long unbeaten sequence of cross country races last January.
The double World 3000m Steeplechase champion Saif Saaeed Shaheen, with 800 metres of the contest remaining held a 10m advantage and looked set to inflict the first cross country defeat on Bekele since 2001.
Bekele refused to panic and gradually tracked down Qatar's world 3000m record holder, then with an unmatchable turn of pace eased past to score a nail biting success.
"Kenenisa knows we're planning to host another strength-in-depth nine kilometres race again in the New Year and was delighted to accept an invitation to return to Edinburgh,” concluded Turnbull.
Nicola Hedley for the IAAF
