Tamirat Tola won a gold medal in the Paris Olympics, bringing honor to Ethiopia's marathon legacy and securing the country's first gold medal in this Olympics.
Tamirat Tola, an Ethiopian marathon runner, became a prominent figure in long-distance running after winning the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Renowned for his exceptional endurance and strategic racing, Tola has established himself as one of the top marathoners of his generation. His success in Paris was a significant accomplishment, demonstrating his ability to thrive on the international stage. Tola's victory not only testified to his rigorous training and dedication but also served as a moment of national pride for Ethiopia, a country with a rich history in long-distance running.
His achievement is particularly significant from a historical aspect as well. Just two weeks before the Olympic Games, he wasn't initially selected to compete and was only a substitute for his country. His name wasn't added to the official list of athletes until 24 hours before the start of the Olympic Games in Paris. Despite these challenges, he secured a gold medal for Ethiopia, a victory that hadn't been achieved in 24 years, since the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Notably, he also set an Olympic record. His determination led to a double victory, as he conquered the demanding Paris 2024 Olympic marathon course, considered one of the most challenging due to its steep inclines and unpredictable weather conditions. Even renowned athletes like Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele struggled to perform well on this challenging course, with Kipchoge failing to finish the race and Bekele finishing in 39th place.
In the current #paris2024olympics game competitions situation, what makes his achievement even more exciting is the gold medal he won, as it is the only one Ethiopia received in all the events they participated in particular. After many years, Ethiopia had not won gold medals in middle-distance events like the 1500m, 5000m, and 10,000m, in both the men's and women's athletics categories in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games unfortunately, while Tola saved the country literally. Tola's gold medal has moved Ethiopia up the medals table from 68th to 46th place.
Hero with his model Heroes hugs after sweet victory at #paris2024olympic villages. Tamirat Tola vs Kenenisa Bekele.
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