Ethiopia’s track legend Haile Gebrselassie is mostly known for one thing – his world records. The 2-time Olympic gold medallist, multiple world 10,000 m champion and holder of more than 27 world records in distances ranging from 1,500 m to the marathon, is now contemplating running a different race – for political office.
Haile has always said he would consider running for political office, but his decision could not have come at a more interesting time in Ethiopia’s politics. The country has witnessed protests in 3 of its major cities.
“All it takes to make a change is to be part of the (solution) and figure out a way because running away from it would only make it worse.” -- Haile Gebrselassie
“The country is in a different situation in terms of economic and political status when compared to the years before. Politics is not about fame and popularity, but about aiming to work for the development of the country. The main problem with our politics is that there are only a few who work towards achieving that goal.”
He initially declared that he wanted to run for the presidency, but changed his mind and decided to run, in his private capacity, in the upcoming 2015 national elections for parliament.
“I want to reach more people through politics,” said the man who is considered the greatest distance runner in history and regarded as a national icon by many in this Horn of Africa nation.
“The big mistake would be to stay out of politics and since I am Ethiopian, I will do everything I can to be part of its development.”
Source: IPS News
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