Open Letter to the International Olympic Committee

Dear International Olympic Committee

I am writing to bring to your attention serious concerns regarding the leadership of the Ethiopian Olympic Committee (EOC), which operates as a National Olympic Committee (NOC). As an autonomous entity, the EOC is responsible for organizing Ethiopia’s participation in the Olympic Games and promoting the Olympic movement, independent of national governments and in accordance with International Olympic Committee (IOC) regulations. However, I strongly believe that the EOC’s leadership has failed to uphold the integrity and transparency expected of an NOC.

Secretly Recorded Tape

A secretly recorded tape has come to my attention via an Ethiopian YouTube channel (Amharic) called ‘Sheger FM 102.1 Radio‘. The tape implicates Dr. Asheber Woldegiorgis, the current President of the Ethiopian Olympic Committee (EOC), in unethical behavior and potential rigging of the EOC’s presidential election for his second term, in which he was the sole candidate.

“Hide and Seek” Adventure

In the recording, Dr. Asheber recounts his “hide and seek” adventure during his second term EOC’s presidential election process. He describes how the Ethiopian Defense Force interrupted the proceedings, forcing the committee to consider having the election on an airplane and eventually relocating to a tent set up at their office building. All members traveled together on one bus, and when they noticed government security forces present at the tent, they hastily moved the election to a meeting room in their office.

Unorthodox Announcement

Dr. Asheber candidly admits that they quickly conducted the election, using the phrase “tot, tot, tot” to describe the speed, which suggests a sudden and swift action, similar to the sound of a gun. Moreover, in a shocking turn of events, the EOC announced the election results on Facebook, catching all stakeholders, including athletes, media, and government officials, off guard. This unorthodox announcement raises several concerns:

Why was the announcement made on Facebook instead of through an official press statement or media channels in Ethiopia, including the EOCs social media accounts?

Did the EOC intentionally avoid transparency and accountability by bypassing traditional channels?

Potential Conspiracy

The tape reveals a concerning conversation between Dr. Asheber and Derartu Tulu, Vice President of the EOC and a renowned Ethiopian athlete. They discuss Derartu’s ambition to become the next EOC President, with Dr. Asheber assuring her that it’s their job to ensure her succession after his third term ends. This exchange suggests a potential conspiracy to rig the election. Furthermore, Dr. Asheber’s statement – “taking the presidency from him would be like taking a piece of meat from a lion’s mouth” – implies a reluctance to collaborate with stakeholders and a desire to maintain power at all costs. This raises questions about his motivations and the personal benefits he may be deriving from his position.

Leadership Crisis

Dr. Asheber’s leadership has been marred by controversy, raising serious concerns about his integrity and commitment to Olympic values. His statement that his role is solely to facilitate logistical arrangements for athletes’ travel and lodging, and his belief that participation in the Olympics is more important than winning medals, are a clear indication of his unsuitability to lead the EOC.

Moreover, his lack of athletic background and controversial past, including his tenure as president of the Ethiopian Basketball Federation and the Ethiopian Football (Soccer) Federation, raise further questions about his qualifications and ability to effectively lead the EOC.

Dr. Asheber promised to establish a National Olympic Academy during his 2017 election campaign, but this promise remains unfulfilled. The EOC’s goal to surpass the four medals won in Tokyo 2021 was unmet, with Ethiopian athletes winning only four medals in Paris 2024. This underwhelming performance raises concerns about Dr. Asheber’s dedication to nurturing athlete growth and his ability to lead the EOC effectively.

Strategic planning for athlete performance is lacking, and inadequate investment in grassroots programs and logistics challenges hinder Ethiopia’s athletic development. Notably, Ethiopian athletes who competed in the Olympics expressed concerns about the lack of young, talented athletes emerging to challenge them. This suggests a broader issue with athlete development and succession planning.

Furthermore, Dr. Asheber failed to ensure adequate support and seamless logistics for athletes, coaches, and delegations during the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Ethiopian Foreign Minister had to intervene with the French Embassy in Addis Ababa to obtain last-minute visas for athletes traveling to Paris, highlighting the disorganization and lack of preparation.

In conclusion, Dr. Asheber’s leadership has been marked by controversy, unfulfilled promises, and a lack of dedication to athlete development. His continued leadership would hinder Ethiopia’s athletic development and Olympic prospects. Urgent action is needed to address these concerns and ensure the EOC is led by a capable and committed leader.

Isolation and Controversy

Dr. Asheber stands isolated, a stark contrast to the collaborative spirit expected of a leader. The Ethiopian Minister of Culture and Sports has publicly announced the cessation of formal communication with the Ethiopian Olympic Committee, signaling a breakdown in their working relationship. Furthermore, Dr. Asheber’s recent statement that participation in the Olympics is more important than winning medals has sparked criticism from those who believe that athletes work hard to excel, not just participate.

Notably, Haile Gebrselassie, an Ethiopian former long-distance track and road running athlete, as well as a businessman, has called for the resignation of the EOC members, including Dr. Asheber; Haile also has requested the government to temporarily block the EOC office, if the EOC members refuse to resign. Additionally, Yomif Kejelcha Atomsa, a renowned Ethiopian distance runner, has emphasized the need for a comprehensive overhaul of all Ethiopian sports federations, including the Ethiopian Olympic Committee. This chorus of criticism and calls for reform underscore the depth of the crisis surrounding Dr. Asheber’s leadership. Moreover, corruption charges have been filed against the EOC, including Dr. Asheber.

Government Intervention

The Ethiopian government has taken an initial step towards reforming the sports sector. President Sahle Work Zewde issued a directive to investigate the Ethiopian Athletic Federation, the Ethiopian Olympic Committee, and the underperformance of Ethiopian athletes in the last two Olympics. This directive was given at the welcome back ceremony for the Ethiopian delegation that participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Investigation Committee

Following the President’s directive, Minister of Culture and Sports Shewit Shanka established a committee to investigate the sports leadership’s failures and the athletes’ underperformance. I appreciate the Minister’s involvement, as her role is crucial in monitoring and financing sports infrastructure in Ethiopia.  However, the committee’s mandate and members should be made public to ensure transparency and credibility.

Government Accountability and Support

While these initial steps are encouraging, I question the government’s long-term commitment to promoting the Olympic movement. The absence of meaningful discussion or action from the Ethiopian parliament regarding issues in Ethiopian sports is concerning. Athletes have expressed grievances about lacking basic resources such as tracks and fields for training. I urge the government to take concrete steps to support Ethiopian athletes and address the systemic issues hindering their success. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s silence on the matter is notable, and I encourage him to publicly address the underperformance and outline his plan to support Ethiopian sports.

Public Demand for Change

Meanwhile, a petition titled #JusticeForEthiopianSports, started by Asrat Worku on August 12, 2024, has garnered over 6,000 signatures as of this writing. This petition demonstrates the public’s eagerness for change and accountability in Ethiopian sports, including the EOC’s leadership.

Call to Action

I urge the International Olympic Committee to investigate this matter and ensure that the EOC’s leadership is held to the highest standards of integrity and transparency. The integrity of the Olympic movement depends on it.

Sincerely,

LJDemissie