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Haile backs marathon contest
Nov 04: Haile Gebrselassie is supporting a new ranking system to discover the world`s best marathon runner - male or female.
Nov 04: Haile Gebrselassie is supporting a new ranking system to discover the world's best marathon runner - male or female.
The contest will span two years, with the winner taking a $1m top prize.
"When athletes hear about this, they may be surprised but I think they will be very happy with the idea," Ethiopian Haile said.
"It is why I will try myself to run three marathons in the next two years. The scoring system will add to the appeal of marathon running."
He added: "It will also get more people interested in the sport."
The company behind the move says an athlete's points total will be calculated on the basis of his or her performances in their three best marathons during the two years up to the 2005 New York Marathon.
Organisers have identified 16 marathons around the world in which athletes can earn points to contribute to their ranking.
However, reports have suggested organisers of the London, Chicago and Berlin marathons have not been consulted over the idea and are unhappy at being included in the list.
The chairman of ING, the financial services group backing the system, insisted on Monday they had met with race organisers and that they were happy with the plans.
"Why would anyone not want to be involved in this?," said Ewald Kist.
"It can benefit everyone in business as well as marathon running.
"We hope to create a system which generates interest and promotes the sport in the way other sports, such as tennis and golf, have done."
Athletes will be awarded points based on their race times in relation to the marathon world record, the particular course record and the field for any given race.
As well as the top prize of $1m, a further $700,000 will be awarded to athletes finishing between second and 10th.
Organisers said on Monday that, in a dummy run of points based on performances from 2001-03, world record holder Paula Radcliffe of Britain would have been crowned number one in the world.
Bureau Report
"When athletes hear about this, they may be surprised but I think they will be very happy with the idea," Ethiopian Haile said.
"It is why I will try myself to run three marathons in the next two years. The scoring system will add to the appeal of marathon running."
He added: "It will also get more people interested in the sport."
The company behind the move says an athlete's points total will be calculated on the basis of his or her performances in their three best marathons during the two years up to the 2005 New York Marathon.
Organisers have identified 16 marathons around the world in which athletes can earn points to contribute to their ranking.
However, reports have suggested organisers of the London, Chicago and Berlin marathons have not been consulted over the idea and are unhappy at being included in the list.
The chairman of ING, the financial services group backing the system, insisted on Monday they had met with race organisers and that they were happy with the plans.
"Why would anyone not want to be involved in this?," said Ewald Kist.
"It can benefit everyone in business as well as marathon running.
"We hope to create a system which generates interest and promotes the sport in the way other sports, such as tennis and golf, have done."
Athletes will be awarded points based on their race times in relation to the marathon world record, the particular course record and the field for any given race.
As well as the top prize of $1m, a further $700,000 will be awarded to athletes finishing between second and 10th.
Organisers said on Monday that, in a dummy run of points based on performances from 2001-03, world record holder Paula Radcliffe of Britain would have been crowned number one in the world.
Bureau Report