Ethiopian Review’s1996 Ethiopian of the Year
Haile Gebreselassie
The 8th of 10 children, Haile was born in Arsi, Ethiopia. His parents Woizero Degefa and Ato Gebreselassie Bekele were farmers in the small village of Kolomsa. However, they always desired for their children to better their lives through education. The parents sacrificed much to send them to the distant school. Growing up, Haile used to run to school everyday—a distance of around 25 kilometers round trip. Even though his father, now a 68 years old gentleman, wanted him to complete his 8th grade education and then settle as a school teacher or a government bureaucrat in a big city, there is no question that Haile has overjoyed his father not only by graduating from high school, but also by becoming a world-class athlete.
When Haile was younger, his elder brother Tekle Gebreselassie was a popular marathon runner in the Ethiopian Navy. Haile has heard his brother’s name announced over the radio and has witnessed Tekle represent Ethiopia in African sports competitions. Tekle’s performance has no doubt inspired Haile’s athletic career.
Six years ago, Haile joined the Ethiopian Police Omedla Club as a private. Many successful meets later, as a result of his world record setting wins this past summer in the 2,000-meter, 5,000-meter, and 10,000-meter races at international track & field meets in Europe, Haile was promoted in September of 1995 to the rank of captain. He is the phenomenal Ethiopian contingent expected to win big at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Haile is completely focused on his runs at the 1996 Olympics. He is so intensely riveted on the Olympics win that he does not see himself celebrating any of his accomplishments thus far until he wins at the Olympics. His two Mercedes Benzes he collected from his European victories are still parked and covered because he has vowed that he would not drive them until he brings the Gold from Atlanta. Haile says that even though he has won several races and been awarded numerous awards, he still feels empty inside, because he says, he has yet to prove himself at the Olympics. Posted on his door are the Ethiopian flag and an Atlanta sticker. That is his dream… to wave the Ethiopian flag at his victory lap following his Olympic gold medal win in Atlanta! Wouldn’t it be a treat if Haile does it in both the 5,000 and 10,000 races?
Haile shows maturity and discipline beyond his years. Preferring to prove with deed, he is a man of few words. As proven in his BBC interview, to the delight of international journalists, he communicates and converses comfortably in the English language. He is also a tough minded, confident and strategic runner responding in a subtle and deliberate manner to the moves and challenges of his competitors.
Haile is not married but has a steady relationship. When asked about his eating habits, he explained that he enjoys vegetarian dishes, and mostly consumes injera, and honey, but positively avoids seafood. He does not smoke, nor consume alcohol.
Haile is generous in his appreciation of his coaches. He has high regard and admiration for his coach Dr. Woldemeskel Kostire about whom he says he is at a loss for words to fully express his gratitude except to call him his trainer, father and friend all in one. His manager is the Dutch Jos Hermens.
Haile is humble about his own record-setting performances and says that he hopes that he will be a good model for young athletes so that they can aim high and beat his record some day. He has repeatedly broken his own records. To him a records is set to be broken—after all, he says, records are set by humans and not by machines.
Haile admits that it will not be easy to win an Olympic gold medal. He says that he is fully aware that there are many excellent world athletes vying for the gold. He echoes to his fans, however, that he is preparing extensively in different climates and altitudes and that he is in great physical shape to win. He recognizes that it is of utmost importance to adhere to his disciplined and consistent training schedule. To this he adds the value of being connected in spirit with his Ethiopian people. This coming year, he and the Ethiopian Olympic Committee are out to recapture the lost glory of winning Olympic gold medals. To that end, Haile beseeches Ethiopians everywhere to remember him in your prayers. He says please pray that God will keep me in good health for the Olympics. For my part, he says, I will say little and train much.
ER is pleased to present Captain Haile Gebreselassie as ER’s ETHIOPIAN OF THE YEAR for 1995. We encourage ER readers to remember Haile and look out for the Ethiopian Olympic Team at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. It is totally delightful to see that once again, as Ethiopians, here we have a unique opportunity to unite in support of our national glory, thanks to our athletes. Atlanta Olympics promises to provide us with ample reasons to be optimistic about several potential medals in the track & field arena. In addition to Haile, we have the incredible Derartu Tulu and an elite men marathon runners who, according to Yilma Tadesse, vice president of the Ethiopian Olympics Committee, are training to “repossess the crown that eluded us for a long time.”
I would say that it would be cathartic to root in unison for our athletes during the Atlanta Summer Games. The Games will open on July 19, 1996 and close on August 4, 1996.
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Prepared by Worku Negash, Ph.D., Senior Editor of ER.
A news and opinion journal on Ethiopia
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