SPORT ETHIOPIA

Sport

Modern sports has a history of over half a century in Ethiopia. Amid scores of popular sports, great distance running has a special place in Ethiopia. It is the sports activity that has made Ethiopia famous in the world of sports events.

The country's currents status in the world of competitive events particularly in the field of distance running stands second, with the recent glorious victories at the Sydney Olympic Games and the Edmonton World Cup Marathon, where Ethiopians won the country a total of 50 medals, 20 of them gold.

Abebe Bikila is the pioneer of olympic victory not only to Ethiopia but also to all Africa .Currently, Haile Gebreselassie is the world's most renowned athlete. He has smashed world records 17 times.He is the record holder in 2000, 5000 and 10000 track and field and indoor track competitions. Winner of Jessie Owns Cup and Africa's best athlete; Haile is the winner in 3000, 5000 and 10000 meters international competitions that took place in Paris, Athens, Gruenberg, Henglo, Zurich, Oslo, Stockholm, Quatar and many more.

Fita Baissa, Assefa Mezgebu, Million wolde and Gezahagne ABEra and among the notables who won various competitions around the world.

Among female runners, Derartu Tulu (Olympic record holder at sydeny) is a cross-country championship winner in Bulgaria, Holland and the States; Gete Wami and Fatuma Roba have also several success stories under their belts.