Africa's star to shine bright

Gebreselassie (centre) won gold at the 1999 World Championships

Haile Gebreselassie, the tiny Ethiopian athlete, is hot favourite for gold at the Sydney Olympic Games.

At 27-years-old he has already broken an astonishing 15 world records, establishing himself as one of the greatest runners of all time and the undisputed king of long distance running.

And his showing in Sydney is sure to come as welcome relief to his countrymen, still reeling from a devastating drought and a bitter border war with neighbouring Eritrea that has seen thousands killed.

Last time out in Atlanta, He won the 10,000 metres gold in an Olympic record time.

  Haile Gebreselassie

10,000m World Record holder 26.22.75 - 1998

Olympic Record holder 27.07.34 - 1996

Olympic Gold medal winner 1996

Gebreselassie has an awesome combination of stamina and a devastating kick - and could probably compete in both the 10,000 and 5,000 events in Sydney.

But he has decided he will only run in the longer of the two distances.

Chance for compatriots

He says he wants to give his fellow Ethiopian countrymen an opportunity to shine.

Winning has become a habit

"In the 5,000 metres there's already more than six athletes who've qualified and also most of them are really good," he says.

"That is why I have to give a chance for those athletes because they're good enough for Olympic Games".

Gebrselassie has won four consecutive world championships in the 10,000, and is hot favourite to retain his Olympic title.

Achilles

However, he knows he is not infallible - and he spent much of last year at home resting an achilles heel injury.

"I already did one Olympic Games and to do it again is wonderful, I'll try to defend, " he says.

After Sydney, Gebrselassie is supposed to be planning a change.

He says he going to take up marathon running. And marathon runners will need to watch out.

He is not used to finishing second.