Gebrselassie grew up in a family of ten children. He often ran 10km to school daily, developing a slight crook in his left arm from carrying books while running. At 16, he entered the Addis Abeba marathon without formal training and finished in 2 hours and 48 minutes. His early experiences shaped his determination and passion for running.

Career Highlights

Gebrselassie's most memorable sporting achievement was winning the 10000m at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, his first Olympic medal. He was unbeaten over 10000m from 1993 to 2001, winning four consecutive world titles. At the 2000 Olympics, he won gold in the closest finish in the event's history, beating Kenya's Paul Tergat by just 0.09 seconds.

Challenges and Injuries

Throughout his career, Gebrselassie faced several injuries. He suffers from exercise-induced asthma and missed the 2002 season due to a calf injury sustained during the London Marathon. A hamstring strain delayed his comeback in 2003, and an Achilles tendon injury forced him to miss the 2000 indoor season.

Transition to Marathon

After the 2004 Athens Olympics, Gebrselassie retired from track events to focus on marathons. Despite this shift, he had no plans to retire from sports entirely. He stated in a CNN interview that he would stop running only when he stopped winning.

Coaching and Training

Under the guidance of Ethiopian coach Dr. Wolde-Meskel Kostre, Gebrselassie trained rigorously, running 30km daily. His dedication to training played a significant role in his success on the track and later in marathons.

Awards and Honours

In recognition of his achievements, Gebrselassie received several awards. He was named the IAAF's Inspirational Award recipient in 2007 and the World Runner of the Year in 2000. His elder brother Tekeye is also an international marathon runner, while his younger brother Belay is a runner as well.

Community Involvement

Gebrselassie is deeply involved in his community. He enjoys training with young athletes and teaching them various running styles. He believes that Ethiopian track and field must continue to thrive through the efforts of younger generations.

Personal Interests

Apart from athletics, Gebrselassie enjoys music and watching television. He also starred in "Endurance," a Walt Disney film about his life up to the 1996 Olympics.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Gebrselassie plans to remain involved in track and field but is uncertain about the specific capacity. He emphasises the importance of planning for the future and has begun making investments to secure his post-athletic career.

Gebrselassie's story is one of inspiration and dedication. From running barefoot as a child to becoming an Olympic champion, he continues to influence both current athletes and future generations.