Ethiopian running legend Kenenisa Bekele, 41, will return to the Olympics for the first time in 12 years after being named in a 10-member team for the Paris Games. Bekele, who last competed in the Olympics in London 2012 where he finished fourth in the men’s 10,000m, was previously overlooked for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. However, his remarkable second-place finish at the London Marathon in April earned him a place on the team.
Bekele, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in the 5,000m and 10,000m, will renew his rivalry with reigning Olympic champion and former world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, who was named in the Kenyan team earlier this month.
Kipchoge edged out Bekele when they first met at the Paris World Championships in August 2003, where Kipchoge won the 5,000m race, Bekele finished third.
Joining Bekele in the men’s team are Sisay Lemma, the Valencia Marathon champion, and Deresa Geleta. The 2023 New York Marathon champion and 2022 world champion Tamirat Tola, along with Eusedin Mohammed, are standby reserves.
The women’s team features world record holder Tigist Assefa, who set a record with a 2:11:53 marathon in Berlin last September. Assefa, who finished second in London last month, will be competing in her first international championships at the Olympics.
She will be joined by 2023 world marathon champion Amane Beriso and Megertu Alemu. The women’s reserve team includes 2022 world marathon champion Gotytom Gebresilase and Buze Diriba.
The men’s marathon at the Paris Olympics is scheduled for August 10, with the women’s race taking place the following day.
