As the 2022 world marathon champion from Ethiopia, Gotytom Gebreslase has achieved numerous accolades in her career. However, the 29-year-old athlete still has one major goal that she hopes to accomplish: winning gold at the Paris Olympics. In an exclusive interview with World Athletics Inside Track, Gebreslase shares insights into her training routine, opens up about her life at home, and sheds light on the rich culture of Ethiopian running.
Gebreslase is deeply inspired by Ethiopia’s long history of success in long-distance running. She takes pride in her identity as a runner and is grateful for the happiness that running has brought into her life. After securing a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest following her victory in Oregon in 2022, Gebreslase is now setting her sights on Olympic glory.
Competing at the Olympics is the pinnacle of achievement for any athlete, and Gebreslase sees it as a way to cement her place among Ethiopia’s great runners like Tirunesh Dibaba. She remains determined to fulfill this dream through hard work and dedication.
In Ethiopian running culture, passing down the sport from one generation to the next is highly valued. Athletes look up to their peers and mentors for inspiration, pushing themselves to new heights while striving to emulate their successes. Gebreslase emphasizes that training alongside strong teammates encourages personal growth and fosters a sense of camaraderie within the running community.
Gebreslase believes that there is an unbreakable bond between Ethiopia and running, and she carries with her this pride and heritage as she continues on her journey towards excellence on the global stage.