Rwanda’s top athlete Dieudonne Disi says he has no more desire to compete in cross country races. The 27-year-old’s remarks came less than two months before the first World Cross country Championship on the IAAF calendar due in Edinburgh, Scotland in March.Speaking to Times Sport over the weekend, Disi said that he is not prepared to take part in this year’s race after deciding to concentrate on road races throughout last year.“I am only focusing on the road and track races this year. That means, I have no plans to run in cross country (any more),” he disclosed. However, his fear is that, he could be “forced” by some people to lead to the national team for the Edinburgh championship. “I know many people would force me to take part in this year’s race but I see no glory in cross country,” Disi noted. Disi finished 22 at last year’s World Cross Country championship held in Mombassa, Kenya but want to see other (upcoming) athletes succeed him, starting with Edinburgh. The two upcoming stars Sylvain Rukundo and Gervais Hakizimana are the only hope to replace Disi in the cross country arena. The former RDF Kadogo is currently preparing for his first competition of the year, which is the Puerto Rico half marathon scheduled for February 3. Five days after the Puerto Rica race, he plans to fly straight to United Arab Emirates to take part in the Dubai half marathon. Then in early March, he expects to participate in the 12th edition of the World Indoor Championship in Valencia, Spain. 2007 was undeniably Disi’s most exciting year after registering five podium finishes in five international events namely; 16km Paris Marathon, Remisi half Marathon in France, New Delhi half marathon, Lagos half marathon and Abidjan half marathon. He also finished 6th in the world road running championship that was staged in Udine, Italy last November.Ends
