The Baby-Faced Destroyer — three Olympic gold medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m and the most dominant female distance runner of her generation. Won five World Championship titles and held the world record in the 5,000m. Part of the greatest running family in history alongside sisters Ejegayehu and Genzebe, from the highlands of Bekoji, Ethiopia.
Tirunesh Dibaba was born in Bekoji, Ethiopia in 1985, from a village that has produced a remarkable number of the world's finest distance runners including several of her own relatives. She won Olympic gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m at Beijing 2008 — the first woman in history to win both distance events at the same Games. She won the 10,000m again at London 2012 and bronze at Rio 2016. She won the World Championship 5,000m three times (2003, 2005, 2007) and the cross country world title four times. She set world records in the 5,000m and 10,000m. She transitioned to the marathon, winning London in 2014 in a world record 2:20:35 — then the fastest women's marathon in history — and returned to win London again in 2017. Her range across track distances, cross country and the marathon is extraordinary. She is Ethiopia's most decorated female athlete.
Olympic and World champion in 5000m and 10000m distance running
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest female distance runners in history
Olympic Gold 5000m, 10000m Athens 2004 – wait: Beijing 2008 10000m
She was the first woman to win both the 5,000m and 10,000m at the same Olympics.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- Olympic Gold 5000m, 10000m Athens 2004 – wait: Beijing 2008 10000m
- Olympic Gold 5000m, 10000m Beijing 2008
- Olympic Gold 5000m London 2012
- World Champion 5000m, 10000m multiple
- World Record 5000m (14:11.15, 2008)
- World Cross Country Champion 6x