Bekele of Ethiopia was one of the stories of Beijing

Ethiopia's double Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele has pulled out of Saturday's Great North Miles meeting on the Newcastle-Gateshead Quaysides.

Bekele, who won the 5,000m and 10,000m in Beijing, was due to face arch-rival Eliud Kipchoge over two miles but has not been able to train sufficiently.

Kenya's Kipchoge, who finished second behind Bekele in the 5,000m in Beijing, is now the clear favourite.

Mexico's Juan Luis Barrios and Kenya's Mike Kipyeo could also feature.

The Kenyan pair of Asbel Kiprop and Janet Jepkosgei have pulled out of their respective mile races because of visa problems.

"Although we are obviously disappointed, we understand his situation of not wanting to run when not fully fit against world-class opposition," said David Hart, communications director for the meeting.

"But I'm sure we'll see him racing again on Tyneside in the future and one day we'd love to see him compete in the Bupa Great North Run itself."

Kent's Lisa Dobriskey leads the British challenge on Saturday and will look to defend her mile title. She will be joined in the mile field by fellow Briton Stephanie Twell.

Dobriskey narrowly missed out on Olympic 1500m bronze this summer before winning the New York Fifth Avenue road mile in impressive fashion.

Britain's Mo Farah goes in the men's mile but in the absence of Olympic 1500m silver medallist Kiprop, fellow Kenyan Brimin Kipruto, winner of the 3,000m steeplechase title in Beijing, will be the favourite.