LONDON: Former Olympic 10,000 metres silver medallist Ejagayehu Dibaba will have to sit out Sunday’s 10km Great Yorkshire Run after she was unable to obtain a visa to enter the United Kingdom, media reports said yesterday.

The 27-year-old Dibaba, sister of 5,000m and 10,000m Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba, is the latest Ethiopian runner to miss out having seen compatriots denied a chance to compete at last week’s British Grand Prix in Gateshead. According to the Press Association, the Foreign Office was not able to expedite the required documentation to enable Dibaba to compete. Benita Willis, Australia’s former world cross country champion, and Portugal’s Jessica Augusto will head the pre-race favourites in her absence.

Beijing Olympics 5,000m silver medallist Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya has received clearance to start. Sweden’s Mustafa Mohammed will seek to defend his men’s title in Sheffield but is set to face a stiff challenge from Guenther Weidlinger of Austria.

Home challengers include Commonwealth marathon champion Dan Robinson and former 5,000m European Under-23 champion Chris Thompson with Olympic 10,000m finalist Kate Reed and UK 3,000m steeplechase record holder Helen Clitheroe competing in the women’s event.