Boston Marathon tragedy is in Tiki’s thoughts

Tiki Gelana says she has struggled to force the images of the Boston bombings from her mind ahead of her return to London this weekend.

The Olympic champion has fine memories of winning gold in the capital last summer but Sunday’s Marathon has been overshadowed by this week’s attack in which three people were killed.

The Ethiopian, 25, accepts that even though there is a race to win, focusing fully on her preparation has been tough. She said: “As a human being you feel really sorry for the people affected. You think about it now and then.

“But I am here to run, I am an athlete. You come to London and this is a big marathon to win. To win in London would mean a lot.”

Gelana hopes the mood on Sunday will not be affected too much. She said: “Because it is another day and another place I hope the atmosphere will stay as it was before.”