Richard Nerulkar photographs the legendary Ethiopian runner as he takes on the Paris Olympic Marathon on Saturday.
The first time I met Kenenisa Bekele Summer 2001. We moved to Addis Ababa earlier that year, and in that first year I in the end We spent a lot of time talking at the Addis Ababa Stadium. Official At the Ethiopian Athletics Federation, we were given an explanation about plans to host Ethiopia’s first international road race open to the public.Urd It will take place later that year.
The week after the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, Haile Gebrselassie surrendered the 10,000m title to Charles. Kamati, He won the world title four years in a row. VI The years 1993 to 1999. Kenenisa, He was not selected for the Ethiopian national team in Edmonton., He was training alone at the National Stadium. Under the supervision of the coach, Doctor Woldemeskel. Even more clarity Contents session (6x800m) I remember looking at him and thinking, “Oh, man. “TThe guy looks incredibly relaxed at speed!”
Four months later, at the first Great Ethiopian Run International 10km event, Kenenisa I came in third. Behind Haile Assefa Mezgeb (They won gold and bronze medals in the 10,000m at the Sydney Olympics.). Kenenisa Had already Set up World Junior Record End 3000 Meters Summer 2001 (and 7:30:67 Just a few days After the training in Addis Ababa) but He was still little known.
In March of the following year, I To Dublin With the Ethiopian team First of 2002 Watching the IAAF World Cross Country Championships Kenenisa Winner in both the long course (12km) and short course (4km)Oagain Appearance It’s very easy. ofThese victories The start of a 10th consecutive World Championship cross country Number of titles from 2002 To In 2006, he won five “double” titles in the 4km and 12km races.
Kenenisa Bekele (Mark Sherman)
In March 2007, five people from the Great Ethiopian Run secretariat drove to Mombasa to watch the first World Cross Country Race. The championship will be held in Kenya. The heat and humidity of the Kenyan race Coastal cities Travel Memorable experience, Needless to say of crowd of audience People gathered for the race. I can still remember the cheers that erupted at that time. above Onet-thin Points on the course Kenenisa Had Off course In the midst of conflict Finishingthus ending 27 consecutive wins in cross-country races.
17 months later,At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Kenenisa Back to winning waysIf you watch the replay of 10,000 meters – He won the first of his two gold medals here. – do you understand he estand up Lace Last 50 Meters among them He set an Olympic record of 27:01.17.on the final lap 53.4 seconds. From this time people Started He calls him “the best ever.”
Mo Farah, Kenenisa Bekele, Haile Gebrselassie, 2013 race (Mark Sharman)
Throughout his illustrious athletics career, Kenenisa It would be hard to compare him to Heil. meanwhile As an athlete Their achievements It was the same jaw.–As individuals they are depressed pretty different. Haile started early in his career. His infectious smile and command of the English language charmed me.self To fans all over the world. length in front Kenenisa Had He appeared on the scene situation Both Ethiopia And overseas It had become Legendary: OneAdidas Had Brought out shoes In his honor, A highway in Addis Ababa is named after him. His whole personality Had become inseparable “ItilarThe slogan “It’s possible” Drawn he As He is a pioneer for his country.
In early January 2005, Ihair Hale called while I was driving. From Bole’s office To a nearby hospital.Yell I had just heard about that Sudden Death of Kenenisa’s Fiance Alem Teshale They were training in the forests above Addis Ababa. A few days later, Acela of Arshi to the Highlands for her funeral. The depth of grief over the tragic death of a talented young athlete was striking, Haile’s concerns about his younger teammates Who now win the title of world’s best long-distance runner.
Kenenisa Bekele and José Hermens at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
April 2014 Kenenisa Made his marathon debut in Paris,victory Comfortable The era of The world marathon record was 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 4 seconds, when Wilson’s time was 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 23 seconds. Kipsang. Byen Translation Haile is already He ran out of time My He began his career by breaking the marathon world record twice in Berlin in 2007 and 2008. Hermens, Haile and Kenenisa, I was sure Kenenisa He could run even faster and connected him with RenatoCanova And for several years they worked closely together. Kenenisa He spent a short training period in Kenya. Canova Agreed and Hermens that There was no athlete on earth with such an engine. Kenenisa’s.
Five years since debut Paris Marathon Winner, Kenenisa Experienced Some Ups and downsHe won of Berlin marathon In 2016, he set the Ethiopian national record of 2 hours, 3 minutes and 3 seconds. Suffering a series of injuries, three marathon Including Amsterdam October In 2018, he was in charge of commentaryI still had a lot of respect for Kenenisa At this point in his career, he Back to winning ways.
11 11 A few months later, after not racing since a DNF in Amsterdam, Kenenisa He won his second Berlin Marathon in a time of 2 hours, 1 minute and 41 seconds, just two seconds shy of the world record set by Eliud Kipchoge in the same race 12 months earlier. Previous.moreover, After the Race Words from Hermens And Canova KenenisHe had only had “six weeks of proper training”!
Kenenisa Bekele (Getty)
I was also commentating at Valencia last December. Kenenisa Finished in 4th placeHe set a Masters World Record of 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 19 seconds. The pace of this race was incredibly fast, with the leaders passing the halfway mark in 60 minutes, 35 seconds. WithdrawLeader’s pace 15km ahead, Kenenisa It took 60 minutes and 58 seconds to get to the halfway point. ran the last 16 miles Lace On my own. And, eWith eight months to go until the Olympics, we’re starting to wonder Whether After a 12-year hiatus, we Might be Watch this great champion return to the Ethiopian team for the fourth time Olympic.
Last month wWhen I was in Ethiopia, I heard friend speak excitedly Kenenisaof Preparation Olympic marathonBut at 42 years old and 20 years since his first Olympic victory, it seems odds oyeah fairy–End of story His Don’t exaggerate your illustrious career.
JTo see him there Standing at the starting line fills me with awe. He is already a legend.aCanova once stated: “WCan’t compare Kenenisa Past, present and or Possibly in the future.”
» Richard Nelker ran the Olympic 10,000m in 1992 and the marathon in 1996, finishing fifth in the latter. His best time is 2 hours, 8 minutes, 36 seconds.
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