Injured Dibaba out of London Marathon

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (AP) - Olympic 10,000-meter champion Tirunesh Dibaba has pulled out of the London Marathon because of a shin injury.

The 27-year-old Ethiopian was expected to make her marathon debut, but says ”the increase in mileage has caused a flare-up of my previous lower leg injury.”

Dibaba is a three-time Olympic champion, having also won the 5,000 and 10,000 at the 2008 Beijing Games.

London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher says ”it is disappointing to lose Tirunesh … everyone was full of anticipation to see how well she performed in a marathon.”

Olympic marathon champion Tiki Gelana will lead the Ethiopian challenge in the British capital. World champion Edna Kiplagat is competing along with world and Olympic silver medalist Priscah Jeptoo.