Haile Gebrselassie
Haile Gebrselassie
Personal Information
- Born: August 18, 1973 (age 49)
- Place of birth: Shashemene, Ethiopia
- Nationality: Ethiopian
- Occupation: Former long-distance runner, politician
Athletic Career
- Speciality: Long-distance running (5000 meters, 10,000 meters, marathon)
- Years active: 1991-2015
- Personal bests: 5000 meters - 12:44.39 (1995); 10,000 meters - 26:22.75 (1998); Marathon - 2:03:59 (2008)
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Major accomplishments:
- Two-time Olympic gold medalist (1996 and 2000) in the 10,000 meters
- Four-time world champion in the 10,000 meters (1993, 1995, 1997, and 1999)
- Winner of the Berlin Marathon four times (2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009)
- Winner of the Dubai Marathon twice (2002 and 2004)
- Set world records in the 5000 meters, 10,000 meters, and marathon
- Widely regarded as one of the greatest distance runners of all time
Post-Athletic Career
- Political career: Member of the Ethiopian Parliament since 2016
- Business ventures: Owns several businesses, including a hotel, a construction company, and a running shoe company
- Philanthropy: Founded the Haile Gebrselassie Foundation, which supports education and sports programs in Ethiopia
Legacy
Haile Gebrselassie is widely regarded as one of the greatest distance runners of all time. He was a dominant force in the 10,000 meters throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, winning two Olympic gold medals and four world championships. He also set world records in the 5000 meters, 10,000 meters, and marathon.
Gebrselassie was known for his incredible endurance and finishing speed. He was able to maintain a fast pace for long periods of time, and he often won races by kicking away from his opponents in the final meters. He was also a very versatile runner, able to succeed at distances ranging from 1500 meters to the marathon.
Gebrselassie's success on the track and in the marathon has inspired a generation of Ethiopian runners. He is a national hero in Ethiopia, and he is widely admired around the world for his achievements in running.
