The 2024 Olympics concluded on Sunday with a dazzling closing ceremony in Paris, marking the end of an event filled with thrill and excitement. The Ethiopian delegation returned home with four medals: a gold and three silver. Despite high expectations for Ethiopia, known for its long-distance runners, the results fell short. The head of the Ethiopian Olympic Committee, Ashebire Woldeghiorgis, downplayed the disappointment, emphasizing that the Olympics are about participation, not just medals.
Ethiopia finished 47th in the medal tally at the Paris Olympics, while neighboring Kenya, a frequent competitor, secured 11 medals, finishing 17th overall as Africa’s top nation. There was little to cheer about in Paris this year, and there’s an increasing sense that it could be years before Ethiopia’s glory days in long-distance running return. The performance in Paris did not show significant improvement from the 2020 Tokyo Games, where Ethiopia ended with a tally of four medals: gold, one silver, and two bronze. Historically, Ethiopia has performed better in past Olympics: at Sydney 2000, it won 8 medals (4 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze); at Athens 2004, it earned 7 medals (2 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze); at Beijing 2008, it secured 7 medals (4 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze); at London 2012, it won 8 medals (3 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze); and at Rio 2016, it again took 8 medals (1 gold, 2 silver, and 5 bronze).
It’s easy to focus on the negatives right now. While the overall results are disappointing in Paris, there were bright spots in the marathons. Team Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola and Tigist Assefa provided a much-needed boost by winning gold and silver, respectively, in a field where Ethiopia has struggled to maintain dominance for some time.
The most disappointing results came from the men’s and women’s 5,000m, 10,000m, and 1500m events, where many top athletes fell short of expectations. Some athletes, including Gudaf Tsegay—who won bronze in the 5,000m at the 2020 Tokyo Games—competed in multiple events and were overworked. Some very talented athletes were left out of the competition for reasons that are unclear. Notably, Letesenbet Gidey, who won bronze medals 10,000m at Tokyo, was absent, reportedly due to her recent marriage. Some reports suggest she was interested in participating, but was not included by the athletic federation.
The results underscore the need for change. It’s time to reevaluate our strategy and address our shortcomings honestly. The Paris Olympics highlighted that races we once dominated are now being won by unexpected new contenders. It wasn’t just Kenyans competing against us in the 5,000m and 10,000m; Europeans and Americans are also making their mark. Italy’s Nadia Battocletti won silver in the women’s 10,000m, while American Grant Fisher took bronze in the men’s 10,000m.
A key takeaway from the Paris Olympics was the debate over athletes’ event choices. Some athletes publicly complained about being excluded from certain events. The Ethiopian Athletic Federation should have provided clearer guidance on which events athletes should focus on and train for. Meseret Defar, a former long-distance runner and commentator, suggested that athletes should specialize in a single event rather than competing in multiple disciplines. By focusing on one sport, such as the 5,000m or 10,000m, athletes can refine their skills and achieve higher performance levels. Meseret rightly noted that while some athletes can excel in multiple events, this approach does not work for everyone.
You guys are always trying to rain on Ethiopia’s parade with over-the-top negativity. You’re showing your true colors when it comes to the country’s best interests. You are all talk, stirring up drama on social media, but you have zero impact in the real world.
No one takes your ridiculous and outlandish claims seriously because you’ve never done anything to actually help Ethiopia. Meanwhile, the progress Ethiopia is making is obvious and undeniable.
You people are always on the sidelines, giving unwanted advice and trying to rally others to block Ethiopia’s path because you can’t do anything useful yourselves. So, you get others to do your dirty work. Well, to those who’ve tried to hold Ethiopia back, I say you’ve done your worst, but Ethiopia keeps shining and moving forward.
Ethiopia has stood tall against all odds, facing down enemies both inside and out, and achieved what many thought was impossible. So, to the naysayers, you can keep trying your same old tricks, but I guarantee you’ll never win. Ethiopia will keep pushing forward and crush her enemies!
You have a valid point to an extraordinary degree in what you said. And there are a lot of people like you who have an abding contempt for people who are clamoring for the downfall of their country. But poltical Grifters gotta eat! What does one expect from someone without discernible income to keep body and soul trembling together in expontially sky-rocketing inflation? It wasn’t like the infamous Dejazmatch Haile Gugessa, who sold down the drain Ethiopia at a time of its Dire needs to Faciest Itlay in 1935. Nor Colonel Mengestou Hailemariam unbecoming of a patriot flew for dear life to Zimbabwe as the late Meles Zenawi entered in May 1991 bolstered by Ethiopia’s foreign implacable enemies. That is ancient history now.
But the annoying thing is that the country lacks a true leader that can inspire and foster a salubrious poltical atmosphere of national unity at this key juncature.
It think the Paris Olympic may be the immediate cause for making center of attention, but the problem is deep rooted and needs inclusive investigation by external or independent body.