Ethiopia welcomes sporting heroes

Thousand greeted the conquering heroes

By Nita Bhalla in Addis Ababa

More than 100,000 Ethiopians packed the streets of Addis Ababa to welcome their successful athletes from the World Athletics Championships in Edmonton, Canada.

Normal services were suspended as thousands took Thursday morning off work to line the main road from Bole International Airport to the main square to give their athletes a heroes welcome.

Gebreselassie plans to race in the Beijing Olympics

Ethiopia's athletes won eight medals, including two gold, two silver and four bronze, making Ethiopia 6th in the final ranking.

As the plane landed senior officials, including the Mayor of Addis Ababa, Ali Abdo, and family and friends went on to the runway to greet them with flowers, handshakes and kisses.

Decorated bus

The 26-member team was taken to an elaborately decorated bus, sporting a giant globe to join massive crowds in the main square.

Ethiopia's medals

GOLD
Men's marathon
(Gezehegn Abera)
Women's 10,000m
(Derartu Tulu)

SILVER
Men's 10,000m
(Assefa Mezgebu)
Women's 10,000m
(Berhane Adere)

BRONZE
Women's 10,000m
(Geti Wami)
Women's 5,000m
(Ayelech Worku)
Men's 5,000m
(Million Wolde)
Men's 10,000m
(Haile Gebreselassie)

People dressed in the bright red, yellow and green colours of the Ethiopian flag.

As the athletes were paraded through the main road on the open-top bus, people ran alongside waving their flags. Many hung out of the windows of nearby buildings, hoping to get a glimpse of their favourite athlete.

Inside Meskal Square, more than 100,000 people from all ages and walks of life danced and chanted.

Changing the image

Although there was disappointment that Ethiopia's star Haile Gebreselassie, was defeated for the first time since 1993 in the 10,000 metres, he was still treated as the hero of the day.

Most credit Gebreselassie, who has won four world titles and two Olympic gold medals, with changing the image of the country from a drought-stricken nation to one of hope and achievement.

Taxi driver Tewolde Mesfin said: "It means nothing that he didn't get a gold this time. Haile will always be our hero. He has shown the Ethiopian people that anything is possible and that success is within all of us."

An Ethiopian adds colour to the day

Haile Gebreselassie said he was not disappointed with receiving his bronze medal.

"I am very happy to be third because after the operation on my leg, I was not feeling my best. I didn't expect to get a bronze".

Beijing 2008

When asked by a Chinese reporter what message he had for the Chinese people, Haile said: żJust tell the Chinese people I will see them in Beijing for the 2008 Olympics!".

Ethiopia's gold medallists Gezehagn Abera and Derartu Tulu were applauded for coming first in the Men's marathon and Women's 10,000 metres respectively.

The turn-out for athletes this time around was not as large as when they returned from the Olympics in October.

In recent months, the country has witnessed a major political upheaval, and Thursday's event was the first public gathering since the riots in April, which left more than 30 dead.

Security was tight and the police were out in force, but it did not taint the atmosphere which was filled with unsurpassed pride and optimism.