Baldini uncertain to defend Olympic marathon title

Stefano Baldini of Italy is uncertain whether he will defend his Olympic marathon title Sunday.

The Italian injured his right thigh Friday and has not been able to prepare in ideal conditions for the concluding event of the track programme at the Beijing Games.

“I haven’t trained for three days and my morale is down,” the 37-year-old reigning European champion told Italian reporters on Tuesday.

“I’m going train four times. If I have a relapse I won’t be able to race. It would be a huge disappointment.”