The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Melbourne

Ethiopian Tariku Bekele has pulled out of his 5000-metre race with Australian Craig Mottram at the IAAF Melbourne Track Classic on Thursday, Athletics Australia said on day.

AA said Bekele was not coming to Melbourne after Ethiopian athletics chiefs advised him to stay in Europe to prepare for next month's world indoor championships in Valencia.

While Bekele, the younger brother of 5000m world record holder Kenenisa Bekele, will not be making the trip to Australia, fellow Ethiopian Abreham Feleke will be running in the 5000m on Thursday, officials said.

The withdrawal of Bekele comes on top of the knee injury to Jamaican 100m world record holder Asafa Powell, which forced him out of Saturday's grand prix meet in Sydney.

Powell had stitches in his left knee after falling on stairs at home shortly before flying to Australia.

He resumed training today, but it remains uncertain whether he will race in the 100m event on Thursday.