Ethiopian · Adwa, Ethiopia · Born 20 March 1998Simultaneously held 5000m/10000m/half marathon WRs.
Letesenbet Gidey was born on 20 March 1998 in Endameskel, in Ethiopia's Tigray Region, and was expelled from school as a 13-year-old for refusing to run in physical education classes, only being permitted to return once she agreed to participate. Gidey developed into one of the finest distance runners in history, winning silver in the 10,000m at the 2019 World Championships and bronze at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, before claiming the world title in the event at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene. Gidey broke the women's 5000m world record in October 2020, and became the first woman to hold both the 5000m and 10,000m world records simultaneously since Norway's Ingrid Kristiansen in the late 1980s, later adding the half marathon world record in Valencia in 2021. Gidey became the first athlete in history, male or female, to hold the 5000m, 10,000m, and half marathon world records at the same time, and has continued competing across track, road, and marathon events, remaining one of the most dominant distance runners of her generation.
Distance (10,000m)
How They Played
Aggressive front-running style with devastating finishing kick
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest distance runners in history, holder of multiple world records
Career Honours
- 2020 Olympic bronze 10000m
- 2022 World champ 10000m
- WRs 5000m, 10000m & half marathon
Ethiopian Athletes