Tamirat Tola’s success in the Paris 2024 Olympic Marathon represents a significant milestone for Ethiopia. This victory enhances the nation’s esteemed reputation in long-distance running, a discipline in which Ethiopia has consistently demonstrated remarkable prowess on the international stage. Tola’s achievement not only instills a sense of national pride but also serves as a source of motivation for countless individuals both within Ethiopia and around the globe.
As an accomplished marathon runner with a history of notable achievements, Tola’s Olympic gold medal reinforces his position among the elite athletes in this discipline. His outstanding performance in Paris exemplifies the intense training, unwavering commitment, and remarkable resilience that characterize Ethiopian runners, further enriching the country’s illustrious legacy in Olympic distance events.
Tola’s victory is a testament to the enduring spirit and dedication of Ethiopian athletes, who have long been recognized for their exceptional capabilities in long-distance running. This triumph not only cements Tola’s legacy but also contributes to the ongoing narrative of Ethiopia’s dominance in the sport, inspiring future generations to pursue excellence in athletics. The impact of his win will resonate far beyond the marathon, fostering a renewed enthusiasm for running in Ethiopia and beyond.
I am finally rewarded the biggest gold medal of all today!!! Our son Tamrat bin Tolla showed who the real master is on the field. There were two men crossing the finish line and blasting the ribbon with him. His late uncles Abebe and Mamo were with him once he dashed into leading the rest. I saw them urging, egging and coaching him all the way. I was hearing Abebe telling him not to run but float like my 1960’s Lincoln Continental Convertible. He heeded that. I could hear the ‘Human Steel’ Mamo telling not to look forward but to look down at the lane in front of him and he heeded that. I was like ‘get’em son! Get’em son for me! Get’em! Get’em’!!! With tears flowing from both eyes. It took me hours to recover!!! In addition, my other daughter Naomi bint Girma and teammates got me another gold medal on the soccer field this afternoon. Can’t beat that! I’m good now! I’m good for the next 3 months. Once I fully recovered, it was time for me to dust off my old 1960’s vinyl soul spiritual collection and start spinning ‘Today, I Started Loving You all Over Again’.
Dear Editors,
I would like to take a moment to thank you profusely for posting this glorious victory on this glorious day. We need something to lighten us up more than ever now since we have been clobbered with one discomforting news after another about the old country that produced us all and that we still hold very close to our hearts.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I was doubly awarded this morning by my two daughters who finished just 3 seconds apart with gold and silver medals in the women’s marathon. Sifan bint Hassan and Tigist bint Assefa have hugged me goodbye with blindingly glittering gold and silver. It is the pudding finish on the cake and I am enjoying every bite of it. I’m good now. I’m good for the next 6 months. Thank you sweethearts!!!
Btw, both Sifan and Tigist had finished the race breaking the Olympics record. What an accomplishment! Ways to go, girls!!!
Meanwhile, I want to congratulate our Somali brothers and sisters for the silver medal won by athlete Bashir Abdi in the men’s marathon at the Paris Olympics. Take a bow hero Bashir bin Abdi!!! You are my hero too just as Hussein Ahmed Salah from Djibouti was in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul and the 1985 New York Marathon in !!!
The Olympics is over now and the excitement has come to an end. Our athletes from the four Horn of Africa countries have excellent prospects in the next 2028 Olympics scheduled in LA. With sea level altitude, low humidity and dew point, they gonna own the middle and long distance races. They will be masters of the field. Eritrea, you gonna own it! Ethiopia, you gonna own it! Djibouti, you gonna own it! Somalia, you gonna own it!!! Let’s hope and pray that we all will still be around to enjoy the triumphs by our daughters/sons and granddaughters/grandsons! I see you then!!! Insha’Allah!!!