Haile Gebrselassie

Haile Gebrselassie, born on April 18, 1973, is an Ethiopian former long-distance track and road running athlete, as well as a successful businessman. Renowned for his remarkable achievements, he secured two Olympic gold medals and four World Championship titles in the 10,000 metres. His prowess in marathon running is highlighted by his four consecutive victories at the Berlin Marathon and three straight wins at the Dubai Marathon.

Throughout his illustrious career, Haile excelled at various distances, ranging from 1,500 metres to the marathon. He transitioned from outdoor and indoor events to road running, breaking an impressive sixty-one Ethiopian national records and setting twenty-seven world records. His world record time of two hours, three minutes, and fifty-nine seconds at the 2008 Berlin Marathon stood for three years, showcasing his extraordinary talent.

Haile's legacy as one of the greatest long-distance runners is further cemented by his unchallenged Masters age group world record in the 10,000 metres since 2008. His contributions to athletics earned him the title of the 'Emperor of Distance Running.' Beyond his athletic endeavors, he has made significant contributions to the development of Ethiopia through his business ventures.

In 2011, Haile was recognized as one of the top one hundred most influential Africans by New African. However, his journey has not been without challenges; during the Hachalu Hundessa riots in 2020, his hotels and resorts were targeted, resulting in the loss of jobs for four hundred employees. In 2021, amid the Tigray War, he expressed his intention to join the fight against the Tigray People's Liberation Front.