Wanjiru out but Lel to compete

Olympic champion Samuel Wanjiru has been forced to withdraw from next month’s London Marathon with a knee problem, but three-time winner Martin Lel has been added to the field.

Wanjiru, 24, won in London in 2009, but dropped out at halfway last year through injury and has not raced since winning the Chicago Marathon last October.

The Kenyan, whose wife dropped attempted murder charges against him earlier this year, said: “I am bitterly disappointed not to be able to race in London this year. Winning the London Marathon in 2009 was one of the great feats of my career.

“Unfortunately, my knee has not responded well enough to make my final preparations for London.”

Fellow Kenyan Lel won in London in 2005, 2007 and 2008 and, after two years of his own injury problems, is targeting a fourth victory.