Is his domination of the sport coming to an end?

Seeking his fifth straight world title in the 10,000 metres, Haile Gebrselassie had to settle for bronze behind Kenya's Charles Kamathi and his countryman Assefa Mezgabu.

In what many regard as one of the most exciting 10,000m races ever seen, Kamathi seized the initiative from 200m out and out sprinted Haile and Mezgabu to take the gold.

Haile's stranglehold on the 10,000m has finally been broken, but can the world record holder regain his crown?

Or does this defeat spell the end of the road for Ethiopia's distance legend?

It's not a surprise or a disappointment to see a young athlete taking over Haile's crown. No athlete can sit on the same chair forever. But Haile remains as the king of all distance runners. It may take us decades or even a century to see an athlete of Haile's calibre.
Takele, South Africa

We should be surprised how he could secure bronze after a serious operation and without any competition for a year.
Samuel T, Ethiopia

The Kenyan Kamathi looks a very impressive runner but I am unsure why Haile lost to him. Did he overlook him with 200m to go? The fact is that it's easier to be the hunter than the hunted. Next time Haile can turn into the hunter if his injuries have not gotten the best of him.
Siberew Filetew, Menz, Ethiopia

Haile is one of the greatest but he is mortal. He may be capable of bouncing back but Kamathi is now firmly in the driving seat. What we now need to do is to develop team tactics. After all, Haile's success was largely due to good team tactics.
Bramwell Simiyu, Kenya

Haile will definitely come back. The shock in Ethiopia is immense because Haile symbolises far more than just athletics; he symbolises the quest for victory against all odds for a nation that bleeds so much. But he is human and has done what he could within human limitations. Haile has glories ahead of him, be it in the same distance or in another.
Tsegaye Regassa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

I have no doubt Haile will make it again. This moment has demonstrated how wonderful he is even though he came to the competition with no training after his injury during the Sydney Olympics.
Shimekit W.Aregay, Ethiopia

Haile does not need to do much more to prove that he is the most versatile and the greatest long distance runner of all time. His defeat hurts but in such a competitive sport discipline it is being naive to expect that he will never be beaten. If anybody can bounce back, Haile can do it but it is time to relax a bit and decide which distance to run next rather than to go for revenge.
Samson Hailu, Ethiopia/Malawi

Haile has broken 15 world records, won four world titles and two Olympic gold medals and has been unbeaten in the last eight years. He has done what no one has accomplished before and is a legend.
Berhanu Gizaw, Germany

The greatest challenge of a champion is to stay on top. Haile is a great athlete and he did that for eight years. However, right now Kamathi is the best.
Douglas Mutavi, Kenyan (in USA)

An athlete's greatness is measured not only in moments of victory but also in the face of defeat. We can only imagine how stunning and painful it must have been for Haile to lose, in the final 10,000m race of his life, the crown he had donned for eight years. But Haile was a gracious loser. He is no ordinary man. He had nothing but smiles and congratulatory embrace for his victorious rival. Most importantly, he never made excuses for himself. Haile simply admitted that the Kenyan was the better runner that day. Yes, he did lose this one race, but does he really have anything to prove after all he has done in this sport? To me and many others, he was and will remain one of the greatest runners of all time.
Fassil Michael, USA

The 10,000 metres race was one of the most exciting I have ever seen. Haile has been a great ambassador for Africa. It will be long before we see another dominant athlete like him. Even though he lost the gold medal in Edmonton, I have the belief that he will bounce back. He is too committed and proud to go out with a bronze medal. I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
Daniel Igali, Canada

The temporary set back for Haile should not in any way be construed as permanent defeat. Haile is still the powerhouse of long distance running and we will see him back to outrun and outlast the current champion and other hopefuls. It is too early to write off this resilient champion who dominated the field for eight years. The recent set back is only temporary.
Girma Bekele, USA

Haile Gebreselassie has proven that he is the greatest distance runner in the world. And now he has proven that he is a human being too. Though he has nothing else to prove in this world, I'm certain that he will bounce back with more thrilling vctories. Great job Haile!
Siyoum Aseffa, USA

Definitely. I am not quite sure in what event, though. It does not really matter. He will always be the measure of excellence. I very much enjoyed the race. I would like to see the same spirit of competition between the new generations of our athletes. I am just happy its a Kenyan that won it. If I can't have it, let me neighbor have it.
Hauza, Ethiopia/USA

It is imperative to note that Haile is, and will remain to be, the undisputed champion of 10,000m run. He is still holds a world record which is hard, if not impossible to beat. He is young, determined, and in good helath. Haile is not done yet, far from it! He will have a chance to prove his unequvocal running ability once more when he runs the Marahton. Thus, he will live as a champion for some time to come.
feyissa Tulu, USA/ Ethiopia

By no means this is the end of Haile's glory. He will come back soon and make our country and all of us proud again.
Seifu Gebremeskel, Brussels, Begium

Not only Ethiopia, but the whole of Africa should be proud of Haile. I don't think we will ever see an athlete who will dominate the 10,000 metres for eight years. Thank you Haile. But I would say the younger Charles Kimathe is going to keep his God given talent and strength for a while. It looks to me he is the next Haile.
Delaboy, Africa

Haile has not raced since Sydney and it seemed to have hurt him - his kick just was not there. However, it will be crazy to doubt that Haile will bounce back. He is only 28 and he will continue to do his magic. I would not be surprised if he comes back to run the 10k just to prove to the world what he can do.
Nebiy, Ethiopia

Sometimes you win and somtimes you don't. Haile is a human being, he is not a machine. He is still the world record holder and I am sure he will reverse this situation in His subsequent competitions.
Yonas, Ethiopia

Haile is great - he is still the best long distance athlete in the world. I think he will make up for his loss in the coming days, may be by performing even better at the marathon.
Erik Debebe, Sweden

Once a king, will always be a king. He surely will bounce back and claim his title. I am proud of all his accomplishments and achievements for the beloved nation of Ethiopia. He is a hero, our hero. Long Live Haile!!
Yohannes Fisseha, California, USA

One defeat in eight years will not demoralise this special athlete, and I am sure he will come back as the king of Marathon soon.
Yeshiwas Shibabaw, Ethiopia

Haile Gabreselassie is the greatest distance runner of all time and is therefore capable of making a come back. Having said that, I think it's about time that we looked into the possibility of a new long distance Champion in Charles Kimathi after his sensational finish on Wednesday in Edmonton. Kenyans; let's support our runners who have made us proud of our country.
Kenneth Obure, Kenya

I am sure Haile will bounce back in the field that has been so dominant in the past. I would like to take this opporunity to congratulate him and thank him for the many good things he has been doing for our beloved country Ethiopia. Thank you Haile for all your achievements. God bless you.
Shibeshi Molla, USA