Ethiopian running legend Kenenisa Bekele has been named to the Ethiopian team for the upcoming Paris Olympics, marking his return to the Games after 12 years. Bekele last competed in the Olympics in London in 2012, finishing fourth in the men’s 10,000m. Despite being overlooked for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, Bekele’s second-place finish at the London marathon in April secured his spot on the team for Paris. The 41-year-old Bekele, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in the 5,000m and 10,000m events, will face off against his rival Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, the reigning Olympic champion.
Kipchoge and Bekele first met at the Paris world championships in 2003, where Kipchoge emerged victorious in the 5,000m race. Bekele finished third in that race, behind Kipchoge and Moroccan athlete Hicham El Guerrouj. Bekele transitioned into marathon running in 2014, and despite facing injuries throughout his career, he has continued to excel in the sport. In the upcoming Olympics, Bekele will have the opportunity to compete once again on the world stage and showcase his talent alongside other top athletes.
Tigist Assefa, the women’s world record holder in the marathon, will also be representing Ethiopia at the Paris Olympics. Assefa set a new world record last September with a time of 2:11:53 in the women’s marathon, breaking the previous record held by Kenyan runner Brigid Kosgei. Assefa, who finished second in the London marathon last month, will be making her international championships debut at the Olympics. She will be joined by Amane Beriso and Megertu Alemu in the women’s team, with Gotytom Gebresilase and Buze Diriba serving as reserves.
In addition to Bekele and Assefa, the Ethiopian men’s team for the Olympics includes Sisay Lemma, the Valencia marathon champion, and Deresa Geleta. Standby reserves for the team are Tamirat Tola, the 2023 New York marathon champion and 2022 world champion, and Eusedin Mohammed. The women’s reserve team features Gotytom Gebresilase, the 2022 world marathon champion, and Buze Diriba. The men’s marathon event at the Olympics will take place on August 10, with the women’s race following a day later.
Overall, the Ethiopian team for the Paris Olympics is filled with talented and accomplished athletes, including Bekele and Assefa, who have both made significant contributions to the sport of running. With a mix of experienced veterans and up-and-coming stars, the team is poised to make a strong showing at the Games. As fans eagerly anticipate the marathon events in Paris, the stage is set for an exciting and memorable competition among some of the world’s best runners.
