Ethiopian Athletics News
 
Athletics
05-08-2008
Ethiopians pull out of Doha meet, organizers cite political tension
DOHA, Qatar: (AP)- Ethiopian athletes pulled out of Friday's Doha Super Grand Prix meet because of political tension between the two countries, organizers said.
 
"We had prepared everything for them: the visa, the tickets and everything," said Dahlan Al-Hamad, the president of the Qatar athletics federation.
"Unfortunately politics got into sports."
 
Last month, Ethiopia broke off diplomatic relations with Qatar, saying the energy-rich Gulf state had become a source of instability in the Horn of Africa. It cited Qatar's relations with Eritrea, which is involved in a long-standing feud with Ethiopia over their border.
 
Qatar said it was astonished by the diplomatic action and denied the accusations that it is hurting Ethiopia's security.
 
Seven Ethiopian athlete were on the starting list of Friday's meeting, including indoor world champions Deresse Mekonnen in the 1,500 meters and Tariku Bekele in the 3,000.
 
Al-Hamad said the IAAF world athletics federation would look into the matter.
 
Athletics
05-06-2008
Haile’s real estate company to start construction
The renowned Ethiopian long distance runner Haile Gebressilassie is set to venture into a new investment in the real estate business here in Addis Ababa.
 
Haile and Alem Real Esate ,the company owned by the athlete and his wife, has acquired a 40,000 sq.m of land in the eastern part of Addis Ababa in the Ayat locality. The company leased the land from the Addis Ababa City Administration two years ago. Haile and Alem Real Estate is planning to build 34 villas and 80 condominium houses. The architectural design work of the project has been finalized and work on the project would commence soon. Geretta Consult, consultant of the project, has undertaken the design work. >>
 
Gebrselassie was all smiles at the ceremony (Photo: Courtesy of CAA)
 
 
Athletics
05-05-2008
Gebrselassie receives honorary doctorate degree from Leeds Metropolitan University
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - (Addis 2008) - Ethiopian distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie has just received a honorary doctorate degree from Leeds Metropolitan University for his outstanding contribution to the sport.

At an awards ceremony held at the Addis Ababa stadium in front of a packed capacity crowd of 35,000, Gebrselassie received the honorary doctorate degree from Professor Simon Lee, Vice Chancellor of the University.>>
Kenenisa (left) with brother Tariku
 
Athletics
05-04-2008
Kenenisa Bekele takes 5000m - Zemzem sets record in women's 3,000m Steeplechase
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (IAAF )- Kenenisa Bekele redeemed himself for his non appearance in the 10,000m, for which he had been named originally, winning a tactical 5000m in 13:49.67, while Zemzem Ahmed sets a new African Championship record in the women's 3,000m Steeplechase run.
 
At 3000m, Tariku took responsibility at the front and, from here until the bell, he took the lion’s share, often with his brother right beside him. Songok and Kiprono Menjo seemed content to sit back. An explosion of speed on the last lap saw Kenenisa triumph with a 54.40 last 400m while Songok denied Ethiopia their third medal sweep, following a 1-2-3 in the men’s and women’s 10,000m. Abdosh claimed the bronze medal while the younger Bekele got nothing for his earlier hard work.
 
Women’s Steeplechase title for Ahmed
Ahmed’s Steeplechase victory had come in an earlier track event, with Mekdes Bekele (no relation to Kenenisa and Tariku) taking silver. On any other day, Bekele would probably have settled for the bronze medal, as Kenya’s Ruth Bosibori came past her down the home straight, but she could hardly ignore the screams from the grandstand and regained her position.
 
As the gold and silver medallist paraded the flag on their lap of honour, such was the decibel level that you could have been forgiven for thinking that Gebrselassie had arrived early for his presentation. However, a third gold medal for Ethiopia today was not to be as Deresse Mekonen, the World Indoor champion, was beaten into fourth place in the men’s 1500m
 
Final day's results:
Men's 5,000m:
1. Kenenisa Bekele ETH 13:49.67
2. Isaac Songok KEN 13:49.91
3. Ali Abdosh ETH 13:50.64
4. Tariku Bekele ETH 13:53.03
 
Men's 1,500m:
4. 710 Deresse MEKONEN ETH 3:44.19
6. 712 Demma DABA ETH 3:49.28
7. 711 Diriba DEGAFA ETH 3:51.03

Women's 3,000m Steeplechase:
1. Zemzem Ahmed ETH 9:44.58 CR
2. Mekdes Bekele ETH 9:59.52
3. Ruth Bosibori KEN 10:00.18
4. Sofia Assefa ETH 10:05.73
  
Final Medals Standings:

1 South Africa - 12G, 2S & 8B = 22 medals
2 Nigeria      -  7G, 7S & 5B = 19 medals
3 Ethiopia     -  6G, 6S & 3B = 15 medals
4.Kenya        -  5G, 5S & 6B = 16 medals
See More
 
Athletics
05-04-2008
Tirunesh Dibaba leads Ethiopian sweep of women’s 10,000m
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Never mind which continent, there is no stopping the Dibaba sister act. Last seen only five weeks ago making headlines at the World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland, another version of it stole the show here tonight on the fourth day of the 16th African Athletics Championships.
 
Ethiopia simply substituted one sister for another to join multiple World champion Tirunesh Dibaba in celebration. In a 10,000m which saw Ethiopia’s women match the achievement of the men in sweeping the medals, Tirunesh secured her first African Championships title while her elder sister, Ejegayehu, 25, finished runner-up.>>
 
Women's 10,000m:
1. Tirunesh Dibaba ETH 32:49.08
2. Ejegayehu Dibaba ETH 32:50.36
3. Wude Ayalew ETH 32:55.17
 
Athletics
05-02-2008
Gelete Burka sets Championship Record in Women's 1,500m
Meskerem Assefa wins Bronze
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia- Gelete Burka sets a new African Championship record (4:08.25) to win gold in the women's 1,500m race here today, with compatriot Meskerem Assefa finishing second.
 
Today's Final Results:
Women
1,500m
1. Gelete Burka ETH 4:08.25 CR
2. Meskerem Assefa ETH 4:10.40
7. Emebet Etea ETH 4:30.91
 
Long Jump
15. Fetiya Kedir ETH 5.33
16. Zeyba Zeyeni ETH 5.20
17. Emebet Tilahun ETH 4.80

4 x 100 Relay
6. Team Ethiopia 47.41
(Betelhem Shewatatek, Mantegbosh Melesse, Laynet Alemu & Atikilt Woubeshet)

Men
800m (Men):
5. Sheferaw Wole ETH 1:48.37
6. Henok Legesse ETH 1:49.10
 
3,000m Steeplechase (Men):
4. Nahom Mesfin ETH 8:50.21
5. Legese Lamiso ETH 8:51.43
6. Dereje Abdi ETH 8:54.74
 
 
Medals Table as of 05/02/08:
1 South Africa   6 Gold- 2 Silver & 5 Bronze = 13 
2 Nigeria        3 Gold- 4 Silver & 2 Bronze =  9 
3 ETHIOPIA       3 Gold- 3 Silver & 1 Bronze =  7 
4 EGYPT          2 Gold- 2 Silver & 0 Bronze =  4 
5 KENYA          2 Gold- 1 Silver & 3 Bronze =  6
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Athletics
05-01-2008
Melkamu delivers mother of all shocks to defeat Defar in women’s 5000m
Meselech Melkamu delivered the biggest surprise of the 16th CAA African Athletics Championships so far by defeating Olympic, world, All-African, and defending African 5000m champion Meseret Defar in the final of the women’s 5000m this evening. >>
 
Women 5,000m:
1. Meselech Melkamu ETH 15:49.81
2. Meseret Defar ETH 15:50.19
3. Grace Momanyi KEN 15:50.19
4. Belaynesh Fekadou ETH 15:50.49
 
 
10,000m medalists & partial view of the Opening Ceremony
(Photo: Courtesy of ENA)
 
 
Athletics
04-30-2008
Gebremariam leads Ethiopian clean-sweep in men’s 10000m
Wednesday Apr 30, 2008 - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Outstanding front-running by Gebregziabher Gebremariam led Ethiopian compatriots Ibrahim Jeylan and Eshetu Wondimu to a clean sweep of the medals in the opening day of the men’s 10000m at the 16th CAA African Athletics Championships.>>
 
 
With continent's legends gathered, African Athletics Hall of Fame launched in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - (04-30-2008)- An array of distinguished African athletics talent, the like of which had never been gathered in one place before, assembled here Tuesday (29) night to launch a hall of fame marking the continent’s rich history. From the son of Abebe Bikila, through the likes of Kip Keino, Miruts Yifter and Frankie Fredericks, to present-day stars such as Meseret Defar, Tirunesh Dibaba and Haile Gebrselassie, the occasion overflowed with star quality. >>
 
 
Thirty Five Athletes inducted into CAA Hall of Fame
Tuesday Apr 29, 2008 - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) today inducted thirty-five African athletics legends into its 1st ever African Athletics Hall of Fame held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this evening.
At a colourful gala held at the luxurious Sheraton Addis and attended by top level Ethiopian government officials and members of the international athletics family, the athletes were each awarded a special trophy to commemorate their placing into African athletics folklore. >>
 
 
An Ethiopian obsession that runs deep
By Alex Capstick - BBC News, Addis Ababa
(04-30-2008)- Ethiopia is staging its first major international athletics event - the African Athletics Championships - giving sports fans a rare chance to see close up the athletes carrying the country's hopes for glory at the Beijing Olympics. The BBC's Alex Capstick went to Addis Ababa to investigate why running is Ethiopia's national obsession. >>
 
 
Kenenisa Bekle pulls out of African Championships
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - (04-30-2008)- April 30th, 2008 - (Eurosport) –According to sources, the Ethiopian has not yet fully recovered after competing in the World Cross Country Championships.
 
Abraham Jeylan, Eshetu Wondimu and Gebregziabher Gebremariam will represent Ethiopia in the discipline on the opening day of the event.>>
 
Athletics
04-29-2008
Spotlight on the hosts as African Championships set to begin in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Just as Kenya dominated the World Cross Country Championships on home ground in Mombasa last year, so Ethiopia is expected to take the majority of medals in the middle and long distance events when it hosts the African Athletics Championships for the first time, beginning here tomorrow. >>
 
 
Athletics
EAF gets new 16 million-birr building
Addis Ababa, April 29, 2008 (Addis Ababa) - The Ethiopian Athletics Federation constructed a new building in Addis Ababa City at a cost of 16 million Birr. >>
 
 
CFI to provide blanket television coverage in Addis 2008
Canal France International (CFI), the official broadcaster of the 16th CAA African Athletics Championships, has announced their coverage plan for the showpiece events from April 30- 4 May 2008. >>
 
 
Athletics
04-28-2008
Derartu Tulu runs 2:36:32 on marathon comeback
28 April 2008 – Ethiopia’s double Olympic 10,000m champion Derartu Tulu finished second in a time of 2:36:32 in yesterday’s Madrid Marathon, her first competitive race since finishing 4th in the 2005 World Championship Marathon in Helsinki in August 2005.>>
 
 
Athletics
04-26-2008
Defar leads an All-star Ethiopian team
Defar, Dibaba, Bekele…. Ethiopia announces megastar team for Addis 2008
Thursday Apr 24, 2008 - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia- Meseret Defar, Tirunesh Dibaba, and Kenenisa Bekele- affectionately known as the “Golden Trio of Ethiopian Athletics”- will lead Ethiopia’s strong squad for the 16th CAA African Athletics Championships (30 April- 4 May 2008) announced today by the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF). >>
 
04-26-2008
Ethiopia predict medal haul at African championships
Ethiopia have forecasted a clean sweep for their distance runners at next week’s African Athletics Championships.More than 2,000 athletes from 43 nations will compete in Addis Ababa at the April 30-May 4 event, which will provide a good chance to warm up for August’s Beijing Olympics. >>
 
 
Haile Gebreselassie launches construction of 5-Star hotel in Awassa
Awassa, April 22, 2008 - Ethiopia’s athletics legend, Haile Gebrselassie launches construction of a five-star hotel in Awassa City of the Southern Ethiopia People State at a cost of over 200 million Birr ($21 million US).
The hotel, which is estimated to be opened in January 2009, will have 150 rooms when completed.
 
04-22-2008
Tadelech Birra Takes Zurich Marathon
Tadelesh Birra from Ethiopia took the honours at the sixth edition of the Zürich Marathon on Sunday (20). Birra won in 2:32:08 ahead of Poland’s Karolina Jarzynska (2:33:15) and Prisca Kiprono (2:34:15). In the men's race, Assefa Mezgebu & Tesfaye Eticha finished 6th & 7th respectively.
 
 
 
VANCOUVER SUN RUN 10km, CANADA
Genet Gebregioris wins
It was the slowest women's race since 1991. Genet Gebregiorgis, coming back after four years off with a heel injury, retained the title for Ethiopia. Her time was nearly three minutes slower than Isabella Ochichi's 2006 course record of 30:55. Sun Run regular Lisa Harvey (38), competing in the race for the sixth time, finished 100m behind Gebregiorgis. Harvey, who was third last year, came through in the later stages to pass Cheryl Murphy and Kirsty Smith, and was closing on the winner in the last couple of kilometres.
 
 
04-21-2008
BOSTON MARATHON
Tune wins women's race at Boston Marathon in thriller
BOSTON (AP) -- Ethiopian Dire Tune has won the women's race at the Boston Marathon in a thrilling finish that was the closest in history.
 
Tune and Alevtina Biktimirova ran stride for stride with each other for the last few miles, then exchanged the lead several times in the last 800 meters. Tune broke away in the final 100 meters to win her debut Boston Marathon in an unofficial time of 2:25.25, two seconds ahead of the Russian.
 
The previous closest finish in the women's race was 10 seconds. Tune earned $150,000 for her win. Meanwhile in the men's race , Gashaw Kebede ( 2:10:47) and Kasim Adillo (2:12:24) finished fourth and fifth respectively.
 
 
Watch the video on wbztv.com Boston
 
04-19-2008
Defar starts Olympic build-up at African Championships
Ethiopia’s Olympic 5,000m champion Meseret Defar plans to open her 2008 outdoor season by competing for her country over 5,000m at the African Athletics Championships which start in Addis Ababa on Wednesday 30th April.>>
 
 
Big test for Ethiopian athletes at Boston Marathon
A host of Ethiopian marathon runners return to action this coming Monday at the 112th running of the BAA Boston Marathon. Among those hoping for top-three finish will be Askale Tafa and Dire Tune in the women’s race, while in the men’s race Gashaw Melese has a chance to further his reputation against better-known Kenyan rivals.>>
 
04-18-2008
Fasuba will compete in Addis 2008
Addis Ababa, April 17, 2008 (Addis Ababa) - After weeks of speculation, Nigeria’s African 100m record holder and world indoor 60m champion Olusoji Fasuba will defend his African 100m title at the 16th CAA African Athletics Championships in Addis Ababa which be held from 30 April- 4 May 2008, Addis 2008 website reported. >>
 
 
More News:
 
04-15-2008
Ethiopian elite athletes gear up to score shining vistory at 16th African Athletics Championships
Addis Ababa, April 15, 2008 (Addis Ababa) - Ethiopian elite athletes are ready to take part in the 16th African athletics championship which will be held in Addis Ababa from April 30 -May 4, 2008, competition organizing committee said. >>
 
 
GREEN FLOOD- The History of Great Ethiopian Runners
Video Screening in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon- A must see Amharic documentary film depicting the great achievement of Ethiopian athletes was shown here today at Portland State University Smith Hall Auditorium. The film is produced by Ethiopian-born Samson Negash of Seattle, Washington.>>
 
 
04-13-2008
Gete Wami finishes 3rd at Flora London Marathon
London, UK - World Marathon Majors champion Gete Wami finished 3rd while Berhane Adere took 7th place in the Flora London Marathon here today.>>
 
 
 
European Cup
Ethiopian-Born Abeylegesse & Selim Bayrak lead Turkishish 10,000m sweep in Istanbul
Reigning World 10,000m silver medallist Elvan Abeylegesse (Hewan Abeye) cruised to her third consecutive European Cup 10,000m victory in Istanbul today, capping a Turkish sweep along with men’s winner, Selim Bayrak.
 
Kicking away from Dutchwoman Lornah Kiplagat over the final few laps, the 25-year-old Ethiopian-born former 5000m World record holder reached the finish in 31:36.33, the fastest performance in the world this year.
 
Beyrak, the former Ethiopian Girma Legese, ran away with the men’s title, winning in 27:47.75, also an early season world leader. The 20-year-old won 3000m bronze for his native Ethiopia at the 2003 World Youth Championships.>>
 
04-10-2008
Wami will make no mistakes this time
London, UK - World Marathon Majors champion Gete Wami says she will make no mistakes this year when she bids to win her first Flora London Marathon title on Sunday (13 April).>>
 
 
 
Haile to run 10km in Beijing
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Twice Olympic champion Haile Gebrselassie will run in the 10,000 metres at the Beijing Olympics, he said on Thursday.
Gebrselassie, who suffers from asthma and has pulled out of the Olympic marathon over about pollution in Beijing, will also be the standard bearer for Ethiopia at the August Games. >>
04-08-2008
Tariku Bekele and Mestawat Tufa take xc wins in Sardinia
Tariku Bekele and Mestawat Tufa won the 32nd edition of the International Cross Country race Trofeo Alasport in Alà dei Sardi in Sardinia, a small village of 2000 inhabitants. >>
 
 
Zewdie prevails over 5km in Carlsbad
Carslbad, California, USA - In a tight race to the finish line, Ethiopia’s Terefe Marego Zewdie edged out England’s Mo Farah to win the men’s race at yesterday’s Carlsbad 5000 in a time of 13:34.>>
 
 
 
04-06-2008
2008 Paris Marathon
Kebede takes Paris Marathon win in 2:06:40
Paris, France – A 20-year-old Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede this morning won the 32nd edition of Paris Marathon – an IAAF Gold Label Road Race – in 2:06:40, currently the second fastest time in the world this year. Kenyan Martha Komu created a surprise in the women's race, lowering her personal best by seven minutes to 2:25:33. >>
04-05-2008
Africa to honour athletes in Hall of Fame
Apr 05, 2008
ADDIS ABABA (AFP) — Africa's top athletes will be honoured in a new African athletics Hall of Fame award to be hosted in Ethiopia later this month, the continent's governing body for the sport said on Saturday.>>
 
 
 
EOC says well-known athletes will take part in Beijing Olympics Addis Ababa, April 4, 2008 (WIC) - Ethiopia will field well-known athletes in Beijing Olympics 2008, the Ethiopia Olympic Committee (EOC) disclosed. >>
 
 
 
04-04-2008
Ethiopia finalizing preparations as host to 16th African Athletics Championships
Addis Ababa, April 4, 2008 (ENA) - Ethiopia is finalizing preparations to host the 16th African Athletics Championships, State Minister of Youth and Sports, Abdissa Yadeta announced.
 
The announcement came at an event organized to officially name event sponsors.
 
So far 41 countries confirmed their participation in the Championships. It is expected that the event will see a record high in the number of participant countries.
 
Meanwhile, the organizing committee of the 16th African Athletics Championships announced on Friday the launch of a website, which will post a plethora of relevant information.
 
 
BIG SA TEAM TO AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Author: ASA Date: 02 April 2008
Johannesburg, 2 April 2008 - Athletics South Africa (ASA) will send a 66 member team to the upcoming 16th CAA African Senior Track and Field Championships. The event, which also forms part of ASA’s plans for the Beijing Olympic Games, takes place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 30 April to 4 May 2008. >>
 
 
04-01-2008
Ethiopia rubbishes Haile's claim
From John Mehaffey in Leeds, England
April 02, 2008 DUAL Olympic champion Haile Gebrselassie will not compete in the 10,000m at the Beijing Games, Ethiopia's chief athletics coach, Woldemeskel Kostre, said in dismissing the athletics legend's prospects.>>
 
 
Maryam Yusuf Jamal to invest in hotel construction
Maryam Yusuf Jemal, former Ethiopian athlete, now with Bahrain citizenship, is back home this time as a leading investor. She is Osaka world athletics championship gold medalist. Mariam told a reporter on her flight from Madrid to Frankfurt that she has started building an eight storey four star hotel in the vicinity of Bole International Airport. According to the world renowned athlete Mariam and her husband Tarik, also on the fight, construction would end after a year and the hotel complete with Swimming pool and Gymnasium will start business.
(Source: The Capital Newspaper).
February & March 2008 News

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