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Marcel is the Bolt of wheelchair event

Dubai - When Marcel, nicknamed 'The Silver Bullet', was told of the title of Bolt being bestowed on him by Botello, he had a hearty laugh

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Defending champion Rafael Botello Jimenez considers nine-time world champion and double Paralympic gold medallist Marcel Hug as the Usain Bolt of the wheelchair event.
Speaking on the sidelines of the press conference to announce the 2018 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon at the Westin Dubai, Hotel at Al Habtoor City, on Wednesday, the 39-year-old Spanish wheelchair athlete said: "I can't say he is a rival as he is the best and way ahead of us all. I will try my best to win and defend my title, but like I said Marcel is the (Usain) Bolt of the event.
"I competed with him maybe six-seven times last year, and again I would say he is the best," added Botello who finished seventh in New York in November.
When Marcel, nicknamed 'The Silver Bullet', was told of the title of Bolt being bestowed on him by Botello, he had a hearty laugh.
The Swiss, who celebrated his 32nd birthday last week, said he was happy by such a gesture from Botello but it would mean nothing if he cannot win on Friday.
"The last two years were very good but this is a new season. It's my first marathon in Dubai and I'm looking forward to Friday morning. It's the first competition of this year, so we really don't know how strong we are, or how strong the other athletes are, so maybe there are big surprises, but yes I feel good coming into the competition and I hope I can win, but you never know."
The field also consists of Britain's former Dubai winner JohnBoy Smith, and ten-time Boston Marathon winner Ernst Van Dyk of South Africa
clareto@khaleejtimes.com
For the record
Marcel Hug
Won Berlin Marathon in 2011 and 2012
Won New York City Marathon: 2013, 2016, 2017
London Marathon: 2014, 2016
Chicago Marathon: 2016
Boston Marathon: 2015, 2016, 2017