BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | World Indoor Athletics

The Olympic 1,500 metres champion Noah Ngeny has announced his retirement from indoor competition after a career which lasted only 35 days.

The Kenyan, third in Saturday's 1,500m final at the World Indoor Championships in Lisbon has found it difficult to adjust to the 200m tracks.

Ngeny surprised the athletics world by claiming the Olympic title in Sydney after out-sprinting the favourite, Moroccan Hicham El Guerouj.

On Saturday, in the slowest-run world 1,500m final, Ngeny was well beaten by Rui Silva and admitted to his struggles after the race.

"I now know that I am not suited to indoor running. The bends are just too tight for me," said the 22-year-old.

Recovered pride

"I like the feeling of freedom that running outdoor brings you - but what a final.

Noah Ngeny celebrates
Ngeny has had some success indoors

"I will not be running indoors again, that's it. I had to try doing it and I gave my best, but it is not for me."

Ngeny ran in his first indoor competition at the beginning of February in Stuttgart when he finished in last place over 1,500m.

Ngeny, however, recovered his pride a few days later in Stockholm.

He was second in the mile race, followed by successive 1,500m, 1,000m and 2,000m successes in the Energizer Series of meetings to finish overall winner of the middle distance section.

Ngeny will have to find alternative winter competition, and could race outdoors in Australia, where he trains.

"Maybe I will try cross country. We will just have to wait and see," he added.


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