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Although finishing 8th and 2nd at previous World junior cross-country championships, the world only really learned about Haile Gebrselassie in the World Junior Championships in Seoul in 1992. With a powerful sprint the young Ethiopian won both the 5000 and 10000 meters. A year later he won the 10000-meter title at the World Championships in Stuttgart where he also finished second in the 5000m. The athletic public started to love his finishing power combined with an extraordinary outgoing personality. Soon they would learn that the 165-cm tall Ethiopian could realize times over 3000, 5000 and 10000 meters that put long distance running at a whole new level.
Haile has so far broken 26 world records. Haile works on his future by investing his money back into the country he loves so much. So far he has build two major business flats, a cinema, a gym, a hotel, a few schools and a huge house that looks more like a palace. His car, won at the 1993 World Championships, is well known in Ethiopia. Whenever he drives through Addis Ababa every one on the street turns his head in admiration. At those moments you can hear the people whisper to each other: Haile, Haile, Haile! The little king of long distance running never turns down people who want to talk to him. Especially when it is concerning children Haile will always find some extra time. In 2000 we saw the most exciting finish of an Olympic 10.000m race ever. Haile won his second Olympic gold medal. After struggling with the hard track in Atlanta, this time Haile had to overcome an Achilles injury and a very well prepared Paul Tergat. The years after Sydney were filled with a world indoor title (2003) two silver medals at the World outdoor championships over 10.000m (2001 and 2003) a world title over the ½ marathon (2001) and the fastest marathon debut so far: London Marathon: 2.06.35 (2002). Next to that he helped his successor Kenenisa Bekele take over as the most dominant track athlete at 5000m and 10.000m. All these years Haile prepared himself for his chance to become the only athlete to win three 10.000m Olympic titles. Another injury and Kenenisa Bekele at full strength prevailed him from doing so. His goodbye was one that left Goosebumps though. Being dropped by the leading group it were countrymen Bekele and Sihine who looked back and slowed down the pace to wait one more time for the athlete that they had so much respect for. The injury was too severe and Haile only managed to finish 5th. With an ever present smile Haile left the track for good and is now focussed on his last dream as an athlete. To conquer the distance of the Marathon.
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