 He was also chosen for the 2003 World Championships and reached the final of the 5000 m. He ended up in 13th place, but he was one of only two Europeans in the world final, alongside Juan Carlos de la Ossa of Spain.He also ran in the event at the 2004 Athens Olympics, but did not make it past the heats stage on his second Olympic appearance.He competed at the 2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships and was 28th in the short race.