A significant legal battle has erupted within Ethiopia’s sports community as the Ethiopian Boxing and Tennis Federation, alongside renowned athletes Haile Gebreselassie and Ghezahegn Abera, have filed a lawsuit against the leadership of the Ethiopian Olympic Committee (EOC).
Among those named in the lawsuit are key figures of the EOC, including its president, Dr. Ashebir Woldegiworgis; the committee’s prosecutor, Eden Ashenafi; the general secretary, Mr. Dawit Asfaw; and the deputy secretary, Mr. Ghezahegn Wolde.
The accusations lodged against them have not only drawn public attention but also led to the freezing of all the EOC’s bank accounts by court order.
In addition to the EOC, the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Sports has also been sued.
The allegations encompass a wide range of serious concerns, including unauthorized personnel changes, mismanagement of over one billion birr in cash and assets, and the disappearance of machinery purchased to build a factory worth over 64 million birr.
Furthermore, there are claims that two Olympic officials were elected for a third term despite not holding Ethiopian citizenship, which violates national regulations.
In response to these charges, the Ethiopian Olympic Committee has pushed back, stating that the legal actions are not only unjustified but are also seen as an effort to undermine the country’s sporting achievements.
In an official statement released by Dr. Ashebir Woldegiworgis, the EOC defended its leadership, asserting that the organization has been fulfilling its responsibilities in accordance with its legal mandate.
The statement also emphasized that any disputes related to sports should be resolved through a judicial body designed to handle such conflicts, rather than through the regular court system.
Despite these legal challenges, Ethiopia’s athletes continue to shine on the global stage.
At the 33rd Paris Olympics, Ethiopia claimed an impressive four medals: one gold and three silver, securing 47th place overall and 4th in Africa.
Marathon runner Tamrat Tola made history by winning gold in the men’s marathon with a time of 2:06:26, setting a new Olympic record.
Other notable performances include Tsige Duguma, who won silver in the women’s 800m; Berihu Aregawi, silver in the men’s 10,000m; and Tigist Asefa, silver in the women’s marathon.
The Paris Olympics was a monumental event for African sports. Botswana celebrated its first-ever Olympic gold, with Letsile Tebogo winning the men’s 200m, while Algeria achieved its first Olympic gold in artistic gymnastics, courtesy of Kaylia Nemour.
Of the 54 African countries that participated, only 12 secured places on the medal table.
Kenya led the African continent with four gold, two silver, and five bronze medals, finishing 17th in the global rankings.
Ethiopia, which has been competing in the Olympics since 1956, added to its rich sporting history, bringing its total Olympic medal count to 62, with the Paris Games reinforcing its place as one of Africa’s sporting powerhouses.
The 2024 Paris Olympics featured more than 10,000 athletes from 206 countries, with the United States once again dominating the medal tally.
The U.S. secured 40 gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze medals, tying with China for golds but outpacing them in the overall count.
