Julia Bleasdale hopes to run for Germany at Olympics

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) A German track and field official says Julia Bleasdale hopes to run the 5,000 meters at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, after competing for Britain four years ago in London.

Bleasdale has dual citizenship and now wants to run for Germany, the homeland of her mother.

Thomas Kurschilgen, director of sports for the German athletics federations, tells the dpa news agency that Bleasdale ''is being planned for the 5,000'' at the Rio Games in August.

The International Olympic Committee has approved Bleasdale's move. She finished eighth both in the 5,000 and the 10,000 in London.

Bleasdale is already training with the German team and will have to qualify for the Olympics at the German nationals later this month.