Tergat rules himself out of Olympics

Former world marathon record holder Paul Tergat on Monday ruled himself out of contention for a place in the Kenyan team for the Beijing Olympics saying there many young runners who deserved to be selected.

Tergat, whose world mark of 2:04.55 in Berlin in 2003 was bettered by his Ethiopian arch-rival Haile Gebreselassie last year, said he would not be in best shape to warrant selection to run in Beijing since he had not trained for the marathon since last September.

"We have to send the best marathon team to Beijing," said Tergat at a launch of a peace race in Nairobi on Monday.

"With Martin Lel winning in London and second-placed Sammy Wanjiru showing he's gaining experience with a 2:05 and William Kipsang setting a course record in Rotterdam, I don't see any other team that can beat us.

"The selected athletes require three to four months to prepare for the Olympics," added Tergat, who finished 10th in Athens in 2004.

"The marathon race is not like the track events -- one needs to be prepared mentally and physiologically".

The former Olympic 10,000m silver medallist, who denied he was planning to retire from the sport, was speaking on the day of the Boston marathon where fellow-Kenyan Robert Cheruiyot won a fourth title.

Athletics Kenya selectors are expected to name the squad this week.