As we approach the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing, we will give you some of the stories behind the scenes about Ethiopian athletes competing in Beijing.

The squad of athletes for Ethiopia’s participation in Track & Field events in Beijing is as follows:

Ethiopia’s squad for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
MEN
1500m: Derese Mekonnen, Mulugeta Wondimu, Mekonnen Gebremedhin, Demma Daba
3000m Steeplechase: Nahom Mesfin, Roba Gari, Yacob Jarso
5000m: Kenenisa Bekele, Tariku Bekele, Abraham Cherkos, Ali Abdosh
10000m: Kenenisa Bekele, Sileshi Sihine, Haile Gebrselassie, Ibrahim Jeylan
Marathon: Tsegaye Kebede, Deriba Mergia, Gudisa Shentema, Gashaw Melese
WOMEN
1500m: Gelete Burka, Meskerem Assefa
3000m Steeplechase: Zemzem Ahmed, Mekdes Bekele, Sofia Assefa
5000m: Tirunesh Dibaba, Meseret Defar, Meselech Melkamu, Belaynesh Fekadu
10000m: Mestawet Tufa, Tirunesh Dibaba, Ejegayehou Dibaba, Wude Ayalew
Marathon: Gete Wami, Berhane Adere, Bezunesh Bekele, Dire Tune

How well do you think our athletes will fare? If you have any comments on this, please send them to greatrun@ethionet.et and we will post them on this page.

Below is a summary of the medals won by Ethiopian runners at previous Olympics:

2000, Sydney
Gold: Haile Gebrselassie, Derartu Tulu, Million Wolde, Gezahegn Abera
Silver: Gete Wami
Bronze: Assefa Mezgebu, Gete Wami, Tesfaye Tola

2004, Athens
Gold: Kenenisa Bekele, Meseret Defar
Silver: Kenenisa Bekele, Sileshi Sihine, Ejegayehu Dibaba
Bronze: Tirunesh Dibaba, Derartu Tulu

Atlanta 1996
Gold: Haile Gebrselassie, Fatuma Roba
Bronze: Gete Wami

1992, Barcelona
Gold: Derartu Tulu
Bronze: Fita Bayisa, Addis Abebe