Gebrselassie out of Toyko

Tokyo - World record-holder Haile Gebrselassie has pulled out of Sunday's Tokyo Marathon because of bruising to his knees.

The Tokyo Marathon was to be the 37-year-old Ethiopian's first race back after announcing an end to his brief retirement from running. He cited bruising to both knees Thursday for his reason for withdrawing.

Gebrselassie pulled out of the New York Marathon in November with a knee injury and immediately said he wanted to stop running, only to go back on the decision eight days later.

He later said he plans to run at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Gebrselassie is widely regarded as one of the greatest long-distance runners ever. He has won two Olympic gold medals and four world titles over 10,000 meters. He set the marathon world record of 2 hours, 3 minutes, 59 seconds in Berlin two years ago.