Following criticism over American sprinter Justin Gatlin's nomination for the IAAF Athlete of the Year Award, legendary long-distance runner Haile Gebrselassie today said it was normal that "once an athlete loses trust he loses everything".
"I read the news coming here (to India) ... Once you have this problem (doping ban), nobody believes you anymore. This is normal. When they lose trust they lose everything," Gebrselassie told PTI in an interview on the eve of the Bengaluru Marathon organised by Adidas here.
The Ethiopian has won two Olympic gold medals, seven World Outdoor Championship medals and set dozens of world records, including the marathon best of 2:03:59 in Berlin in 2008.
After causing outrage in some quarters, Gatlin was ditched from the final shortlist for International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)'s World Athlete of the Year.
Gebrselassie will flag off the Bengaluru Marathon tomorrow at the Kanteerava Stadium here.
Gatlin, who has twice served doping bans, was a controversial inclusion on the original 10-man shortlist announced on October 3.
Asked whether honouring dope offenders was right, Gebrselassie diplomatically said it was better that athletes did not lose others' trust.
"I have to be diplomatic. I don't want to say this is wrong, that is right. I don't want to push others saying - you should do that, and not do that - it is not fair. The best you can do is not lose others' trust," he elaborated.
Asked about the secret behind African athletes excelling in long distance races, Gebrselassie said just like cricket has been a big opportunity platform for youngsters in India to excel, running was a big sport in Ethiopia which gives opportunity to youngsters back home.
"What is important for a sprinter and a cricketer in Ethiopia and India respectively is to have a big opportunity to excel in big sporting event in a particular country," said the 41-year-old athlete.
"In India and Ethiopia, cricket and running are big sporting events and hence players and athletes get opportunity to excel, and that is the secret behind African nations churning out long-distance runners year after year - like India produces cricketers year after year," he added.
