Athletics: Abyu keeps Olympic ambition

May 13 2008 Media Wales

Ethiopian-born Tomas Abyu produced a solid performance to be the first Briton home in seventh in yesterday’s BUPA Great Edinburgh Run.

The Salford marathon runner, still uncertain of whether he will be selected for the Olympics, put in a determined display as Bernard Kipyego won a thrilling sprint finish ahead of Boniface Kiprop and El Hassan Lahsinni.

Abyu admitted his thoughts both before and after the 10-kilometre race were centred on whether he will be included in the British team for Beijing when it is announced in mid-May.

The former political refugee is hoping the selectors will show some leeway and include him in the team after he attained the necessary time target but then had it overruled for a technical reason.

Last autumn Abyu thought he had provisionally guaranteed himself a Team GB vest when he was runner-up in the Dublin Marathon and achieved the tough UK Athletics standard of two hours 11 minutes.

But to his dismay he was informed it would not count as the Irish course had not been measured by an approved measurer from the International Association of Athletics Federations.

“Obviously, I think about it every day and know my fate is in the hands of the selectors,” said Abyu, 30 today.

“I made my international debut at the European Championships two years ago and my ambition has always been to run at the Olympic Games.

“I’ve heard nothing from the selectors and I just live in hope that they will accept I am worthy of representing the team in Beijing.”

Abyu, who has lived in this country since 1999 and gained a British passport three years ago, has persevered with his dream and was an excellent third in January’s Houston marathon.

His time of 2hrs 13mins 46secs was shy of the UK qualifier but bettered that required by the IAAF, giving fresh hope he may be included in the British squad.

Abyu again tried for the higher standard three weeks ago at the Flora London Marathon but, hampered by the conditions towards the finish of the race, had the disappointment of missing out yet again.

His great domestic rival Dan Brown declared himself happy after finishing a position and four seconds behind Abyu in the Edinburgh race.

“I’m pleased I came and ran here. Although it was just three weeks after London it was a race I needed,” said Brown, winner of the UK marathon trial race held in conjunction with the main event.

“This was a hard course and although I’ve done as much resting as training, it was good to have a shakedown and I’m now looking forward to two more 10km races in Manchester and London later this month.”

Vicky Gill was the first British finisher in the women’s race in a creditable sixth against several world-class opponents in a race decisively won by Australia’s 2004 world cross country champion Benita Johnson.

“I’m glad I came here and the course was even tougher than everyone told me it would be,” said Gill. “I’ve definitely benefited from racing at this level.”