This year’s Olympic Games, held once every four years, will take place in Paris, the capital of France, from July 26, 2024, to August 11, 2024. Ethiopia is among the countries participating in this prestigious event.
In the field of athletics, the selection of athletes to represent Ethiopia was made last night in Nerja, Spain.
According to the Ethiopian Athletics Federation, qualifiers were held in the 10,000 meters for both genders, the 1,500 meters for men, and the 800 meters for men.
To qualify for the men’s 10,000 meters race at the Paris Olympics, Ethiopia set a minimum qualifying time of 27 minutes.
Sixteen athletes participated in the qualifying competition, with Yomif Kejelcha finishing first with a time of 26:31.01, Berihu Aregawi second with 26:31.13, Solomon Barega third with 26:34.93, Binyam Mehari fourth with 26:37.93, Gemchu Dida fifth with 26:42.65, and Tadese Worku sixth with 26:46.80.
In the women’s 10,000 meters competition, 14 athletes competed, with a minimum standard of 30:40. Fotyene Tesfay finished first with a time of 29:47.71, Tsege Gebrselama second with 29:49.33, Egegayehu Taye third with 29:50.52, and Ainadis Mebartu fourth with 30:09.05.
The 1,500 meters men’s race had a minimum qualifying time of 3:33.50. Abdisa Fayisa finished first with a time of 3:32.37, and Samuel Tefera finished second with 3:32.81.
In the men’s 800 meters qualifier, the minimum qualifying time was 1:44.70. However, none of the seven participating athletes met the standard.
Ethiopia is one of the most successful countries in the Olympic Games, having participated since 1956. The country has excelled in athletics, winning a total of 58 medals: 23 gold, 12 silver, and 23 bronze.
In 1960, Abebe Bikila became the first African athlete to win a gold medal, running barefoot in the Olympic Games held in Rome, Italy.
Additionally, athlete Derartu Tulu became the first black African woman to win gold in the 10,000 meters race at the 1992 Olympic Games held in Barcelona, Spain.
Other notable Ethiopian athletes who have won gold medals at the Olympic Games include Abebe Bikila, Mamo Wolde, Miruts Yifter, Haile Gebrselassie, Fatuma Roba, Gezahagne Abera, Million Wolde, Kenenisa Bekele, Meseret Defar, Tirunesh Dibaba, Tiki Gelana, Almaz Ayana, and Solomon Barega.
