Haile Gebrselassie

Haile Gebrselassie transitioned from an Olympic champion long-distance runner to a global icon and successful businessman, inspiring others with his relentless pursuit of excellence. After gaining international recognition in 1992 by winning both the 5000-meter and 10,000-meter races at the World Junior Championships in Seoul, South Korea, Haile Gebrselassie went on to become one of history’s most decorated long-distance runners. The same year, he earned a silver medal at the World Cross Country Championships in Boston. His dominance in the 10,000 meters began in 1993 with the first of four consecutive World Championship titles, a year which also saw him secure a close second place in the 5,000-meter race.

He set his first world record in the 5,000 meters in 1994 with a time of 12:56.96. Gebrselassie continued to redefine the sport, setting the 10,000m world record (26:43.53) and another 5000m world record (12:44.39) in 1995. He earned his first Olympic 10,000m gold medal in 1996 and defended his 10,000m World Championship title in 1997, breaking the 5000m world record again (12:41.86). By 1999, he starred as himself in the film ‘Endurance’ and defended his Outdoor World Championships 10,000m title, also winning the 1500m/3000m double at the World Indoor Championships.

After retiring from competitive running in 2015, Gebrselassie transitioned into business, building a significant empire in Ethiopia that includes multiple resorts, a Hyundai dealership, an electric car assembly plant, and a coffee plantation. From 2016 to 2018, he served as President of the Ethiopian Athletic Federation, and in 2023, he opened the Grand Haile Resort in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.