Former Olympic 5,000m silver medallist Ejagayehu Dibaba has been forced to withdraw from the Great Yorkshire Run because of visa problems.

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The 27-year-old Ethiopian, who also holds world championships 5000m and 10000m bronze medals, is the latest casualty in what is a worrying trend for Ethiopian runners, having seen compatriots denied a chance to compete at last week's British Grand Prix in Gateshead.

It is understood the foreign office attempted to push through the necessary documentation to enable Dibaba to compete in the 10 kilometres race being held in Sheffield on Sunday, but were unsuccessful.

She has failed to obtain the required paperwork to enter the United Kingdom, therefore, and so has had to pull out of the event.

Organisers have been unable to find a suitable substitute but insist the women's event will still be highly competitive with Benita Willis and Jessica Augusto now the pre-race favourites.