NEW YORK - Abdi Abdirahman, America's leading contender at 10,000 meters in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, has announced plans to make his marathon debut at the ING New York City Marathon 2004.

"We are delighted to welcome Abdi to this year's race," said Allan Steinfeld, the president and CEO of New York Road Runners and the race director of the ING New York City Marathon.

Abdirahman, 27, of Tucson, Ariz., will represent the United States in the Olympic 10,000 meters on Friday, August 20, in Athens. In Sydney 2000, he finished 10th in the Olympic 10,000, the highest placing by an American in that race, and was the 2001 USA 10,000 meter champion. Abdirahman secured his 2004 Olympic berth by finishing second at the U.S. Olympic Trials 10,000 meters in Sacramento last month.

The American field for the ING New York City Marathon 2004 is shaping up to become one of the strongest in years. Joining Abdirahman on the start line on Sunday, November 7, for the 35th running of the five- borough spectacle, will be Bob Kennedy, also making his marathon debut, and 2004 Olympians Dan Browne and Deena Kastor.

"We are thrilled to see this field continue to grow, and to bring the best of American distance running to New York," said Steinfeld, noting that both Alberto Salazar and Kastor made memorable marathon debuts in New York. "We have high expectations for Abdi. He brings great strength, speed and tenacity to the marathon distance."

"The marathon is not the kind of thing you do just to do it," said Abdirahman. "It's going to take a lot of work. It's going to be my focus after the 10K on Friday."

Abdirahman was born in Mogadishu, Somalia. He moved to the United States with his family in 1990 and became a U.S. citizen in 2000. Abdirahman starred on the track and cross country teams at the University of Arizona, from which he graduated in 1999, and has been a strong and consistent presence on the distance running circuit ever since.