He must follow Ethiopian sports rules, the country's athletics federation has announced.

 

Gebrselassie, who suffers from exercise-related asthma, said this week he would not run the 26.2 mile event because he feared Beijing's air pollution was a threat to his health.

 

He said that he will instead wait until London 2012 before he runs in the Olympic marathon.

 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said his withdrawal was fully justified and that no one could force him to compete but the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) said the decision was not his to make.

 

"It is not up to Haile Gebrselassie to decide on participation in the marathon event in Beijing," EAF technical director Dube Jillo said.

 

"It is the Ethiopian Athletics Federation, representing the nation, that determines whether Haile is fit to compete in the marathon event in Beijing's Olympics or not."

 

The twice Olympic 10,000 metres champion is one of a long list of athletes and officials to have voiced concern over pollution in the city.

 

Dube's remarks on Friday seemed to contradict a statement he made on Monday saying that it would be Gebrselassie's own choice whether to run in the marathon or 10,000 metres.

 

Dube said a team of doctors and officials would decide whether Gebrselassie was fit to compete in the event.

 

"The federation will start selection of the country's athletic team at the end of April based on criteria to qualify, which takes athletes' current performances and conditions into consideration," he said.

 

However, it seems inconcievable that the EFA would force Gebrselassie, one of the most influential men in the country who is tipped to be a future President, to run an event against his will.