Haile Gebrselassie

Date of Birth: April 18, 1973

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Biography

Haile Gebrselassie is a retired Ethiopian long-distance track and road running athlete. Born on April 18, 1973, in Asella, Arsi Province, Ethiopia, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest distance runners in history. Over his career, Gebrselassie achieved remarkable success, setting numerous world records and winning multiple Olympic and World Championship titles. Gebrselassie rose to prominence in the 1990s and 2000s, dominating events ranging from the 1500 meters to the marathon. He won two gold medals in the 10,000 meters at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics and secured four World Championship titles in the same event. His rivalry with Kenyan runner Paul Tergat is legendary, particularly their dramatic finishes in the 10,000 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2009 Berlin Marathon. Beyond the track, Gebrselassie has made significant contributions to his home country. He is a successful businessman, owning several enterprises, including hotels and a coffee plantation. His philanthropic efforts focus on education and healthcare in Ethiopia, improving the lives of countless individuals.

5 Interesting Facts about Haile Gebrselassie

1. Haile Gebrselassie set 27 world records over his career.

2. He won the Berlin Marathon four times consecutively from 2006 to 2009.

3. Gebrselassie holds the distinction of being the first man to run a marathon in under 2 hours 4 minutes.

4. He is an advocate for environmental sustainability and has invested in solar energy projects.

5. Gebrselassie has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Haile Gebrselassie

1. “Once you have commitment, you need the discipline and hard work to get you there.”

2. “When you run the marathon, you run against the distance, not against the other runners and not against the time.”

3. “Running gives me a lot of pleasure. It’s something that I love to do.”

4. “You must be fast enough. You must have endurance. So you run fast for speed and repeat it many times for endurance.”

5. “In Ethiopia, I am not just a sportsman. I want to give back to my country and help my people.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Haile Gebrselassie’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.

Children

Haile Gebrselassie is married to Alem Gebrselassie, and together they have four children: two daughters, Eden and Melat, and two sons, Biniam and Nathaniel.