Berlin IAAF championships: Ethiopia bids farewell to its athletes

August 11th, 2009 | EthioPolitics.com |

Ethiopia on Tuesday bade farewell to its national athletes who are travelling to Berlin, Germany on Tuesday for the 12th IAAF World championship due to be held from 15-23 August, 2009.

Ethiopia last week named 37 athletes who will represent the country at the championships.

The Ethiopian Athletics Federation said the squad consists of both male and female athletes who will to take part in distances ranging from 1500 meters to the marathon.

The squad includes elite athletes and youths who have proved capable in recent competitions.

The renowned athletes in the squad include Kenenesa Bekele, Sileshi Sehin, Gebregzibhier Gebremariam, Tirunesh Dibaba, Messeret Defar and Meselech Melkamu.

Captain Dube Jelo, head of the technical affairs department of the federation told journalists that the squad has been making preparations since July.

The coach of the Ethiopian national athletics team, Dr. Woldemeskel Kostre on his part said he expects victory at the championships as extensive preparations have been made.

Athletes from Kenya will remain strong competitors to the Ethiopian team, especially in the 5,000 and 10,000 metre races both for the men and women.

APA