The greatest runner of the 1990s and 2000s — 27 world records including multiple marathon and 10,000m records.
Haile Gebrselassie was born in Asella, Ethiopia in 1973. He ran to school — 10km each way — from childhood. He won consecutive Olympic 10,000m gold medals in 1996 and 2000. He set 27 world records across distances from 2,000m to the marathon. His marathon world record of 2:03:59 at Berlin 2008 stood for 3 years. His combination of efficiency — the arm swing slightly asymmetrical from carrying a schoolbook — technical precision and competitive intelligence over long distances makes him the most complete distance runner of the late 20th and early 21st century. He became a businessman and politician in Ethiopia after retirement.
Greatest distance runner ever, 27 world records
How They Played
Tactical runner with devastating kick and metronomic pacing
Lasting Impact
Transformed distance running and inspired generation of athletes
Olympic Gold 10000m 2x (1996,2000)
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold 10000m 2x (1996,2000)
- World Champion 4x
- World Record holder 27 times