Olympic and World 10,000 metres champion Kenenisa Bekele has revealed he will not race again until the New Year but said that he intended to regain his world cross country crown in 2008.

The announcement means Bekele, who married 22-year-old actress Danawit Gebregziabher on the weekend, is likely to make his return to action on January 12 at the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country to defend his IAAF Permit title against Zersenay Tadese.

The 25-year-old Ethiopian, who claimed a third successive world 10,000m title in the summer, also told guests at his wedding that he wanted his world cross country crown back from Tadese, who won the title in Mombasa earlier this year after Bekele dropped out of the race.

That would see the 5000 and 10,000m world record holder return to Edinburgh where the World Championships will be staged on March 30, again in Holyrood Park but over a different course.

Sporting Life / Eurosport