Aug. 14, 2008 - Ethiopia in the Olympics
I don't actually know how Ethiopia is doing in the Olympics this year. No TV, and I don't generally check news sites. However my "in-law" country has a long and interesting Olympic history, though it is generally ignored by the rest of the world unless the media decides it's time for another round of starving children pictures.
Did you know that the first black African to win an Olympic gold medal in running was an Ethiopian? His name was Abebe Bikila, and he won the 1960 Olympic Marathon and he did it barefoot. This son of a shepherd became one of Ethiopia’s heros and was greatly honored. Unfortunately, this man’s life was cut short by a tragic accident which left him severely disabled (quadriplegic, although later surgery gave him the used of his arms), and eventually killed him. Interestingly, this is what he said in regards to his accident: “Men of success meet with tragedy. It was the will of God that I won the Olympics, and it was the will of God that I met with my accident. I accepted those victories as I accept this tragedy. I have to accept both circumstances as facts of life and live happily“ This man was a hero not just in sports, but in the face of a very devastating change in his life.
Another amazingly talented Ethiopian runner is Haile Gebresellasie. He has had an extraordinarily long career for an athlete, and has broken 25 world records along with his Olympic gold medal wins, and in spite of injuries. He also has a really great smile. Personally, I can’t imagine grinning at the end of a grueling run, but then, I hate running with a passion.
Haile also has an amazing personal story that led up to his athletic career. He’s one of ten children, and lost his mother when he was a child. Before he was a professional athlete, he ran because he loved it, in the beautiful mountains of Ethiopia. He daily ran 10K to school, which puts a whole new spin on the “When I was a kid….” stories. A beautiful documentary movie was made about his life in 1999. Endurance is family friendly and will give people a good idea of Haile’s life and a little taste of Ethiopia.
You can read more about Ethiopia’s other Olympian athletes on Wikipedia. There are actually quite a number of them, mostly runners.
Comments
Aug. 14, 2008 - Congratulations!
Posted by HSBCompanyBlog
You have been chosen as the Featured Blogger of the Week! You can read about it on the HSB Company Porch.
If you would like to have the Blogger of the Week button for your sidebar, please e-mail me at tlinschied-at-thehomeschoolmagazine-dot-com.
Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB
Aug. 14, 2008 - Congratulations on being Featured Blogger!
Posted by tn3jcarter
Hope you enjoy your time in the spotlight!
Aug. 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by recipefiend
I saw a story about a swimmer from Zimbabwe (which cannot spell it for some reason right now) that was neat. She won the first medal that country every got and helped to bring the country together for awhile. There are some neat stories and some sad ones. I posted about a sad one I heard on my blog-Martha
Aug. 17, 2008 - NBC.com
Posted by Christina
Hey Maggie, just wanted to let you know that NBC.com is live streaming some of the events without commercials and without commentators.
Aug. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Today I seen him run, he was great. I liked what he said about the black band he wears to honor a friend and fellow runner who had passed. I agree about the smile. Leena
Aug. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by AmberAholelei
Hello... Random blogger here. :) My girls and I were reading some of your stories and we really liked when your little one got stuck in the bucket! -too funny... Your boys are precious; love the cheerio in the nose ;)
Aug. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by AmberAholelei
Hello... Random blogger here. :) My girls and I were reading some of your stories and we really liked when your little one got stuck in the bucket! -too funny... Your boys are precious; love the cheerio in the nose ;)
Aug. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Jessica
Wow! Those are some moving stories.
Congratulations on being HSB of the week! I hope you do it!
