Tadias Magazine

Long distance legend Haile Gebrselassie failed to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics during Ethiopia's team trials in Holland on Sunday. Haile needed to finish in the top three, but came in seventh in the 10,000 metre race. (Photo: Haile in Hengelo this weekend/Getty)

Tadias Magazine
News Update

Sunday, May 27, 2012

New York (TADIAS) – Haile Gebrselassie failed to secure his place on Ethiopia’s track team for the 2012 London Olympic games during trials in Hengelo, Netherlands on Sunday. The event also marked Haile’s last major race in the 10,000 meter.

“The Games in London, is over for me,” he told AFP. “I ran a good race till the last lap. I felt good but I manifestly didn’t have the speed to compete against my rivals.” He added: “That’s life. I am not disappointed…I gave all that I had.”

Read more at AFP.

Watch: Haile Gebrselassie – King of the Kickdown
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2012 Olympics: Haile Gives It One More Run

Two-time Olympic and four-time world 10,000 metres champion Haile Gebrselassie will run one more track race in Hengelo, Netherlands this weekend while trying to make the Ethiopian team for the London 2012 Olympics. (Illustration by Zenamarkos Taye for Tadias Magazine)

Tadias Magazine
Editorial | Sports

Published: Thursday, May 24, 2012

New York (TADIAS) – Haile Gebrselassie will run his last major race in the 10,000 meter track in Holland this weekend; that is if he does not secure a spot on Ethiopia’s track team for the 2012 London Olympic games. The trials are set to take place in Hengelo, Netherlands – scheduled for Sunday, May 27th. Haile must finish in the top three to qualify for the Olympics.

“My goal is to run sub-27 minutes in Hengelo,” he told the press last Sunday following his victory at the Bupa Great Manchester Run in England. “When I am in the top three I will have to go.”

The legend, who is 39, failed to make the Olympic team as a marathoner twice, generating media speculation about his ending career. Some have suggested his stubbornness may be damaging to his brand. But Haile never lost his trademark smile and indomitable spirit, race after race, win or loss, flush with optimism about the next opportunity.

“I love running and I will always run for myself,” he told Athletics Illustrated in April. “And I always give my best at running and try to achieve the highest possible level.”

“There will be a lot of stars running in the Olympics,” he admitted about this weekend’s race. “It will be difficult to beat them. To get into the top three and win a medal that would be wonderful.”

Haile has said that if he does not win, he will still attend the London Olympics as a spectator. Either way, he remains one of the world’s most admired athletes of all time. And an Ethiopian hero.
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Related:
Gebrselassie takes another strong 10k victory in Manchester (IAAF)