"I want to become a prime minister" says Haile Gebreselassie
November 9, 2008 - In an interview with Turkish newspaper, Today's Zaman, Ethiopian athlete Haile Gebrseassie was quoted as saying, "I want to become a prime minister". In the interview Haile was asked "We heard that you were thinking about a political career in the future. What sort of a politician will you become?" and he was quoted as saying "I want to become a prime minister so that I can work to better the conditions of my people. Poverty is the biggest problem of my country and I must do my part in the fight against this problem."
Will you quit the track one day?
I will run until I die.
The race is about to start and you are on the start line. What do you feel when you hear the gunshot?
Well... the beginning of a war. I feel like I am at war and that I have to win it.
Can you hear the cheering spectators?
Yes, of course... I must show them a good race.
We heard that you were thinking about a political career in the future. What sort of a politician will you become?
I want to become a prime minister so that I can work to better the conditions of my people. Poverty is the biggest problem of my country and I must do my part in the fight against this problem.
I want to run in the next Eurasia Marathon
Elvan Abeylegesse…
She will make a very goof athlete in the future.
What do think about her running on behalf of Turkey?
This is her choice. She wants to run on behalf of Turkey and she has shown that she can do this successfully.
Have you received any offer to run for any other country?
Yes, many.
Why did you not accept them?
I am glad to run on behalf of my own country.
Let us finish this interview by asking about the purposes of your visit. How did you find İstanbul?
It is a beautiful city. As you can see, Sultanahmet is magical.
Will you attend next year’s Eurasia Marathon?
I will do my best to be here. The Eurasia Marathon is the only marathon that connects two continents. I learned that many athletes from my country won medals here. I would like to add this marathon to my collection of medals.