As Haile’s world turns: agent says NY Times story false

Haile Gebrselassie’s agent Jos Hermens has reportedly denied telling the New York Times that the marathon world-record holder’s phones were tapped. Appearing on national TV in Ethiopia, Hermens and Gebrselassie both denied saying there was any intimidation by the Ethiopian government, according this report. Two days previously, the New York Times had published a story alleging Gebrselassie’s retirement announcement (which he has since retracted) may have been prompted in part by emotions related to political meddling by the wife of Ethiopian PM Meles Zenawi and her associates.

The interview is on YouTube, but it’s in Amharic, with no English translation.