Olympic champion and former race winner Sammy Wanjiru has been forced to pull out of this year's Virgin London Marathon.
Former champion to miss London gig
Olympic champion and former race winner Sammy Wanjiru has been forced to pull out of this year's Virgin London Marathon.
The Kenyan, who won in 2009 before dropping out at halfway last year through injury, has not raced since winning the Chicago Marathon last October.
"I am bitterly disappointed not to be able to race in London this year," he said.
"Winning the London Marathon in 2009 was one of the great achievements of my career and I was hoping to become the London champion again.
"But I have been suffering some problems with my right knee recently which meant I had to withdraw from the Lisbon half-marathon.
"Unfortunately, it has not responded well enough for me to make my final preparations for London. I wish good luck to the other runners and will do my best to be back next year."
However, the good news for organisers is that Martin Lel, successful in 2005, 2007 and 2008, has been added to the field.
Race director David Bedford said: "Of course we are very sad to lose the Olympic champion from our line-up as Sammy was a great champion here two years ago. We wish him a speedy recovery from his injury problems.
"But we are also delighted to announce the late addition of Martin Lel, one of the great champions in London Marathon history.
"Martin tells me his training has been going really well and he feels in shape to be able to take on the London challenge again. He is a very welcome addition to what is already a great field."
This year's race will take place on Sunday, April 17.
