Ethiopian Olympic 5,000 and 10,000 metre champion Kenenisa Bekele could be out for up to four months with a stress fracture.
At the Beijing Olympic Games, the 26-year old became only the fourth man to win a Olympic distance double.
But he finished third at the 2008 Seven Hills 15km race in Njimegen, Netherlands, after struggling with the injury in the latter stages.
“I was advised by doctors not to take part in the race,” admitted Bekele, who first felt pains in training for the run.
“But after warming up for the race, I felt better and decided to take part.”
The injury means he is likely to miss the cross county and indoor seasons in 2008 and early 2009.
By Reda Maher | Eurosport