Runner portrait - "Mr. Smile" Haile Gebrselassie

 back

available language of this article: 

Note: This Article was translated by Google Translation from German to English. Please feel free to send us a better translation or to report mistakes. Thanks!

10 things about "Mr. Smile" Haile Gebrselassie

The rabbit
When Haile jet to Palermo in August 2006 to a 10-km race wanted him something bizarre intervened: After the departure of the machine the pilot decided to return: A rabbit was after the start to the engine of the plane fall. Hailes comment: "We were already one and a half hours in the air as it smelled. We thought it would food preparation. But that was the hare. "

Haile on the marathon
"You have to be willing to sacrifice themselves for it with no ifs and buts. Even one is not born as a marathon runner. Anyone who thinks they can incidentally still pursue a profession that is wrong. Marathon is very expensive. Besides the fun of it you need a professional obsession, or it is nothing. What matters is whether one is willing to devote themselves body and soul to the marathon. Of course also includes talent for it, but I think that talent equal to anywhere in the world distributed. You just have to do something with it."

His Training

The Ethiopian runner has set 26 world records miracle. His fable achievements he owes his professional attitude and hard training. His weekly training workload is between 200 
and 300 kilometers. The most he graduated in the Ethiopian high mountains at 3000 meters.

The asthma
Hailes Achilles heel is his asthma. The London Marathon 2007, he had cancel because of the sudden pollen. In the Olympic Games in Beijing, the Ethiopians did not start on the 42 
km, the health risk because it was too high. "The Pollution in China is a threat to my health." Gebrselassie said.

His laugh
Often, it is estimated Haile for his open and friendly nature and also admired. The Ethiopian is always with a smile on my face . See "He's a star without airs and graces," said Mark Milde, race director the Berlin Marathon. When his teacher once asked why he was for so laugh often, Haile just shrugged his shoulders. In an interview, he said about his positive attitude to life: "This will be my character, I do not know where that comes from. My father was very strict. But my Mother, who died early, was a very dear and friendly woman. Yes, she had such a similar character."

His anger
Haile said that he was hardly upset in the sport, because there are only two possibilities: to lose or win. Haile, it makes him foxy, if someone makes his work not properly or not taken seriously. He does not like when someone is late. "Right angry," he will only when trees are felled. The people in his home country would know the and the ax laid aside when he runs past them. One would have he almost beat up someone when he came from the training and saw that the one made with a saw to create a eucalyptus tree.

His first Marathon
Haile finished his first marathon (London 2002) to 2:06:35 hours and finished in third place.

Universities' victory lap
A few minutes before the start of the 5000-meter race in Africa 
Championships in 2008, received an honorary doctorate in international Haile understanding of the University of Leeds conferred. Instead of following the award back to the grandstand to proceed, he went with his robe and mortarboard on a spontaneous lap of honor before the 3500 cheering spectators in the stadium in Addis Ababa.

The businessman
In his native Ethiopia, he is one of the most successful businessmen of the country. With his company "Haile & Alem International" rents, manages and builds apartments and villas. Also he operates a tourist hotel with 150 rooms. He is also involved socially: in his hometown Asela it promotes talented athletes: Haile has donated money for, among other things a gym and a cinema.

His Future
After the Olympic 10-kilometer race in Beijing, where he 6 place finished, "said the 36-year-old:" I could on the last 300 meters no longer sprint. That was not easy. I am become a marathoners. "However, does not think the Ethiopians to a career end: Ten years, he wanted to get involved internationally. Be next big goal is the Olympics 2012 in London.

Everyone who want to learn more about Haile Gebrselassie we recommend the book "The miracle runner Haile Gebrselassie - On the trail of a Legend "by Klaus Weidt, published by" aCasa Advertising & Publishing House " to read.
 

back

Sources | Pictures:

http://achim-achilles.de/news/berlin-marathon/haile-gebrselassie-203 

Pictures:

http://coachjoeenglish.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/racing-haile-gebrselassie-to-race-next-in-2009-dubai-marathon/
http://news.xinhuanet.com/olympics/2007-07/12/content_6364591.htm
http://www.runnersworld.de/news/marathon/nach_dem_berlin_marathon_/haile_gebrselassie_interview.104259.htm
http://www.runnersworld.de/haile_ab_jetzt_bereite_ich_mich_auf_china_vor.78612.htm

Links:

http://www.hailegebrselassie.net/