Ethiopian runners compete for Olympic spot

The Ethiopian Athletics Association has decided at short notice to select the team for the Olympic Marathon on the basis of ‘first three past the post’ in a trial race in Hawassa, 260km south of Addis Ababa and at considerably lower altitude (1700m).

The Hawassa Half Marathon, an AIMS member event, has been run in the city since 2011 and this course would form the basis of any trial event.

Almost all of the top Ethiopians are said to be ‘committed’ to competing, although Tirunesh Dibaba is currently scheduled to take part in the Hamburg Elite Marathon on 11 April.

The provisional men’s list includes Kenenisa Bekele, 2020 London Marathon winner Shura Kitata and Mosinet Geremew, Berhanu Legesse, Sisay Lemma, Lelisa Desisa and Mule Wasihun.

In the women’s race Ababel Yeshaneh, Birhane Dibaba, Mare Dibaba and Tirunesh Dibaba line up alongside Zeineba Yimer, Roza Dereje, Ruti Aga and Ashete Bekere.