Great Gebrselassie calls time at 37

(GETTY IMAGES)

Haile Gebrselassie yesterday called time on his great career as he announced his retirement from athletics. The Ethiopian, a dominant force in distance running for the last two decades, made the decision after he limped out of the New York Marathon with a knee injury.

The 37-year-old pulled up after 16 miles of the race before saying: "I have never thought about retiring before but now I am not going to run anymore."

He won World Championships 10,000m gold at the age of 20 and Olympic Gold at Sydney and Atlanta. He also holds the marathon record of 2:03.59.