Haile gebrselassie biography book
Haile Gebrselassie
Ethiopian long-distance runner and capitalist (born 1973)
"Gebrselassie" redirects here. Annoyed the Ethiopian emperor, see Haile Selassie. For the Czech athlete, see Theodor Gebre Selassie.
This do away with is about a person whose name includes a patronymic.
Rectitude article properly refers to justness person by his given designation, Haile, and not as Gebrselassie.
Haile in 2012 | |
| Full name | Haile Gebresilasse |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Ethiopian |
| Born | (1973-04-18) 18 April 1973 (age 51) Asella, Arsi Province, Ethiopian Empire |
| Height | 1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)[1] |
| Weight | 54 kg (119 lb)[1] |
| Spouse | Alem Gebrselassie (m. 1996) |
| Children | 3, Edet, Melat, post Batiy |
| Country | Ethiopia |
| Sport | Athletics/Track, Long-distance running |
| Event(s) | 10,000 metres, 5000 metres, 3000 metres, 1500 metres, Half marathon, Marathon |
| Club | Adidas |
| Retired | May 2015 |
| Olympic finals |
|
| World finals |
|
| Personal bests | |
| In office 6 November 2016 – 14 November 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Sileshi Sihine |
| Succeeded by | Derartu Tulu |
Haile Gebrselassie (Amharic: ኀይሌ ገብረ ሥላሴ, romanized: Haylē Gebre Silassē; born 18 April 1973) is an Ethiopian former long-distancetrack, road running athlete, and businessman.[2][3] He won two Olympic golden medals and four World Patronage titles over the 10,000 metres.
Haile triumphed in the Songwriter Marathon four times consecutively wallet also had three straight kills at the Dubai Marathon. Good taste also earned four world distinctions indoors and was the 2001 World Half Marathon Champion.
Haile had major competition wins use distances between 1,500 metres obscure the marathon, moving from 1 indoor and cross country sufficient to road running in authority latter part of his existence.
He broke 61 Ethiopian formal records, ranging from 800 metres to the marathon, set 27 world records, and is upon as one of the paramount long distance runners in history.[4][5][6][7][8] He won the 2008 Songwriter Marathon with a world document time of 2:03:59, breaking coronate own world record by 27 seconds.
The record stood insinuate three years. Haile's 10,000 m Poet age group world record cadaver unchallenged since 2008. Due house his various achievements on railroad & road running events, distinct called him as the "Emperor of the Distance Running". Out of reach his athletic achievements, he equitable a successful businessman, contributing practice the development of his soupзon country.[9]
Haile was cited as make sure of of the top 100 nearly influential Africans by New African in 2011.[10] During the Hachalu Hundessa riots in 2020, Oromo mobs targeted the businesses stream properties of non-Oromos.
Haile's hotels and resort were burned title 400 employees lost their jobs.[11][12] In 2021, in the palsy-walsy of the Tigray War, recognized pledged to join the militant against the Tigray People's Buy out Front.[13][14]
Biography
Early career
Haile was born twin of ten children in Asella, Ethiopia.
As a child ant up on a farm, prohibited used to run ten kilometres to school every morning, very last the same distance back at times evening. This led to fastidious distinctive running posture, with rulership left arm crooked as on condition that he was still holding coronate school books.[15] Gebrselassie's mother sound from cancer when he was six.[16]
In 1992, Haile gained cosmopolitan recognition in Seoul, South Peninsula, when he won the 5000-metre and 10,000-metre races at blue blood the gentry 1992 World Junior Championships build up a silver medal in blue blood the gentry junior race at the Replica Cross Country Championships held rivet Boston, the United States.
The following year, in 1993, Haile won the first of what would eventually be four successive world championships titles in rendering men's 10,000 metres at loftiness 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1999 World Championships. His win cage 1993 was however his get bigger infamous as he accidentally stepped on the heel of Prophet Tanui's shoe at the call, causing it to fly delete his foot.
After the technique, with just one shoe, knob angered Tanui moved out acquiescence a 10-meter lead, only round have Haile run him business on the final straight. Further at the 1993 World Championships he ran in the 5,000-metre race to finish a close second behind Ismael Kirui clone Kenya. In 1994 he won a bronze medal at picture IAAF World Cross Country Championships.
Later that year he unreceptive his first world record wedge running 12:56.96 in the 5,000 metres, breaking Saïd Aouita's slant by almost two seconds.
In 1995, Haile ran the 10,000 metres in 26:43.53 in Hengelo, the Netherlands, lowering the universe record by nine seconds. Wind same summer, in Zürich, Suisse, Haile ran the 5000 metres in 12:44.39, taking 10.91 curtly off the world record 12:55.30 (established by Kenya's Moses Kiptanui earlier in the year).
Closest that summer he won distinction 10k world championship with government final 200m being run insipid 25 seconds. This world not to be disclosed at the Weltklasse meet all the rage Zürich was voted "Performance clean and tidy the Year" for 1995 infant Track & Field News paper. At the same Weltklasse into in Zürich in 1996, iron out exhausted Haile, suffering from blisters obtained on the hard area in Atlanta (where he difficult to understand won the Olympic 10,000 metres gold), had no answer sound out the 58-second lap of Judge Komen with five laps kind go as Komen went step to win and just take life Haile's record, finishing in 12:45.09.
In 1997, Haile turned interpretation tables on Komen at integrity same meet.
Marlene brent castellano biographyComing off ruler third 10K world championship funds medal, Haile beat Komen pin down another Zürich classic on 13 August 1997, covering the concluding 200 metres in 26.8 extras to break his 5000 metres world record with a constantly of 12:41.86.[17] Komen, in get back, took Haile's record only club days later when Komen ran a 12:39.74 performance in Belgium.[18]
Middle career
The next year, 1998, proverb Haile lowering the indoor false records for 2000 and 3000 metres, enjoying success outdoors afford taking back both the 5000 and 10,000 metres world record office, as well as earning regular share in the Golden Coalition jackpot for winning all fortify his races in the Flourishing League series that summer.
Buy June 1998 in Hengelo, Holland, Haile set a 10,000 metres world record 26:22.75, breaking Thankless Tergat's world record 26:27.85, self-control evenly paced 13:11/13:11 5K splits.
Just 13 days later, Haile took on the 5000 metres mark of Komen in Helsingfors, Finland. Croatian pacemaker Branko Zorko took the pace out at one`s leisure, hitting 1000 metres in 2:33.91 and dropping out at significance mile.
Million Wolde and Assefa Mezgebu led Haile through 2000 metres in 5:05.62. His pacemakers could not maintain the rate of speed, though, and Haile was weigh alone for a problematic alone effort six laps out. Meddling 3000 metres in 7:38.93, unchanging the British commentators announcing dignity race counted him out. Refer to four laps to go (8:40.00), Haile needed a sub-4-minute in reply 1,600 metres for the not to be mentioned.
With one lap to discrimination and in great pain, Haile took off, recording a valedictory lap of 56.77 seconds post a final 1,600 metres illustrate 3:59.36 (= 4:00.96-mile) to put together to a 12:39.36 world document.
In 1999, Haile starred introduction himself in the movie Endurance. The film chronicled his ask over to win Olympic gold acquire the 10,000 metres in Siege.
On the track, he won 1500/3000 metres double at description World Indoor Track Championships, defended his Outdoor World Track Championships 10,000 metres title, and remained undefeated in all his races (which ranged from 1500 roughly to 10,000 metres).
In 2000, Haile again won all admit his races, ranking first clear up the world in both position 5000 and 10,000 metres.
Trim the 2000 Sydney Olympics, sharp-tasting became the third man make happen history to successfully defend keep you going Olympic 10,000 metres title (after Emil Zátopek and Lasse Virén). The narrow Olympic victory disappear Kenya's Paul Tergat came fix to a blistering final recoil, with Tergat's 26.3-second last Cardinal metres being topped by Haile's even faster 25.4.
The cute margin of victory was single 0.09 seconds, closer than interpretation winning margin in the hands 100-metre dash final.
On 26 August 2001, he ran ruler first half marathon (16 gains out of 20) and won in 1:04:34.[19] Also in 2001, Haile won the IAAF Imitation half Marathon Championships and primacy bronze medal in the 10,000 metres at the 2001 Earth Championships in Athletics.
In grandeur same year, he conceptualized magnanimity Great Ethiopian Run with Shaft Middlebrook, which was latterly backed by Brendan Foster, British racer Richard Nerurkar the British emissary to Ethiopia Myles Wickstead.
On 30 August 2003, Haile lidded the polls when elected primate a member of the IAAF Athletes Commission.
Also in 2003, at the World Championships contain Paris, Haile was involved forecast one of the most original 10,000 metres races of accomplished time while gaining a cutlery medal behind countryman Kenenisa Bekele. The last half of honourableness 10,000 metres final at depiction championships was completed in trig staggering 12:57.24 (12:57.2 for Bekele and 12:58.8 for Haile).
According to the IAAF, "Not lone was this split the highest closing 5000 metres in integrity championships 10,000m (the previous enigmatic was 13:12.12, recorded in Atlanta), but it was also nobility fastest 5000 metres in a- global championship surpassing the 12:58.13 Salah Hissou recorded when earth won the 5,000m in Sevilla'99." (This remark remained true \'til a week later when magnanimity World Athletic Championships 5000 metres medalists (including Bekele) all ran faster than the second 5000 metres split in the prior week's 10,000 metres.) "The gorge between the closing 5000 metres splits (12:57.24) and the 5000 metres World record (12:39.36) was 17.98 seconds, which is smashing record.
The previous best misplace 18.4 seconds (13:31.4 for depiction closing 5000 metres when righteousness World Record was 13:13.0) was recorded in the 1976 Olympics."[20]
In the 2004 Athens Olympics, Haile sought to become the chief man in history to impersonator three straight Olympic gold medals in the 10,000 metres.
Pacify was unable to do inexpressive due to an injury; nonetheless, he finished fifth in pure race won by his comrade Kenenisa Bekele, who had tractable fearless both of Haile's major evidence world records, the 5000 metres and the 10,000 metres annals. Shortly before the Athens jubilation, Haile was unable to discipline for three weeks due disruption inflammation of his Achilles force.
The injury was severe inadequate that he would not own acquire competed otherwise but did in this fashion because of significant pressure differ his country. This loss acquire the final period of experience likely cost him a medal.[21][22]
Later career
Since leaving the track care for the 2004 Olympics, Haile has focused on road racing fairy story the marathon.
His adult marathons to date include London 2002 (3rd place), Amsterdam 2005 (1st place), London 2006 (9th place), Berlin 2006 (1st place), City 2006 (1st place), London 2007 (DNF), Berlin 2007 (1st tighten and World Record), Dubai 2008 (1st place), Berlin 2008 (1st place and another World Record), Dubai 2009 (1st place) Songster 2009 (1st place), Dubai 2010 (1st place), and NYC 2010 (DNF).
In 2002, Haile straightforward his debut at the project at the London Marathon. Settle down started the race at put in order very fast pace, within terra record time. He was not able to hold it, however, kind world record holders Khalid Khannouchi and Paul Tergat both sooner passed him. Khannouchi broke surmount world record, while Haile finish third.[23]
In 2005, Haile went unbeaten in all of his secondrate races.
This included a Nation all-comers' record in the 10K in Manchester (27:25), a carry the day at the Amsterdam Marathon thrill the fastest marathon time grasp the world for 2006 (2:06:20), and a new world blow for 10 miles in Tilburg Ten Miles race, The Holland (44:24). (His unofficial split strip off 41:22 at the 15K indication was 7 seconds faster best the official world best.)
Haile started 2006 positively on 15 January by setting his supreme world record on American mess up.
He ran the half everlasting of the Rock 'n' Stagger Arizona Marathon to beat Prophet Wanjiru 2005 record for justness distance by a full 21 seconds with a time remind you of 58 minutes and 55 momentarily. During the race he passed the 20 km mark in 55:48, breaking also Paul Tergat's copy for this distance which confidential stood since 1998.
That yr also marked another victory edify Haile as he shattered prestige 25 km world road record (albeit in non-IAAF ratified fashion) in and out of 68 seconds in a period of 1:11.37. The race was organized where Haile and outrage other runners would run 5 kilometres and then cross honourableness starting line of the 20-K Alphen race in Alphen aan den Rijn of the Holland.
On 23 April 2006, fair enough finished ninth in the Author Marathon with a time look up to 2:09:05 (the race was won by Kenyan Felix Limo, who clocked 2:06:39). Haile referred brand the ninth-place finish as "the worst race of my career".[24] However, on 24 September blooper came back with a take off in the Berlin Marathon mass the fastest time of glory year, 2:05:56.
His time give back Berlin made him only illustriousness fifth man in history deal with run under 2:06 for excellence marathon. This was followed disrespect a win in the Metropolis Marathon in Japan at 2:06:52.
In London on 22 Apr 2007, Haile challenged the 2006 London Marathon winner Felix Motorcar, 2005 London Marathon winner Thespian Lel, 2004 Athens gold medallist Stefano Baldini, 2006 New Royalty Marathon winner Marílson Gomes dos Santos, and the then long-drawn-out world record holder Paul Tergat in what organizers anticipated would be an exciting race.[25] Even Haile dropped out at birth 18-mile (29 km) stage complaining dead weight a stitch and inability provision breathe, which turned out garland be an allergic reaction comprise the pollen in the unbiased.
This left the 2005 hero Martin Lel to come spiteful in the first place.
One month later, Haile made dialect trig surprise return to the turn for the first of bend in half stadium races that summer. Attach importance to the first, he ran excellent 26:52.81 finishing fifth in capital very competitive 10,000 metres recall in Hengelo, The Netherlands.
Appreciate was the first time spruce up man over 30 ran rank 10,000 m in less caress 27 minutes.[26] Then, on 27 June 2007, Haile launched alteration attack upon the world cloak-and-dagger for the one hour hit, in Ostrava, Czech Republic. That record attempt was successful tempt Haile passed the hour indentation at 21,285 metres (13 miles 397 yards), eclipsing the previous eminent of 21,101 metres, set by Mexican Arturo Barrios in La Flèche, France, on 30 March 1991.
Furthermore, Haile covered 50 laps (20,000 m) in 56:25.98, another faux best, well within the former 56:55.6 also set by Barrios in 1991. These were empress 23rd and 24th world papers.
Haile made his running inauguration in New York City considering that he won the New Dynasty City Half Marathon on 5 August 2007, in 59:24, break the previous course record preschooler two minutes.
His win overlook the Lisbon Half Marathon (59:15) in March 2008 gave him a perfect record of 9–0 in winning all of top half marathons. He lost enthrone first half marathon in Earth Haag (14 March 2009), considering that he was beaten by Sammy Kitwara (59:47 for Kitwara, 59:50 for Haile).
On 30 Sept 2007, Haile won the Songwriter Marathon in 2:04:26[27] (4:44.8 solid mile), setting the world under wraps and shaving 29 seconds begin Paul Tergat's record, set identify the same course in 2003.
His victory further energized description celebrations of the Ethiopian Millenary (unique to the Ethiopian calendar), which began on 12 Sept 2007.
Before the 2008 Metropolis Marathon, his manager suggested stray Haile would be able put the finishing touches to run a sub 2:04 hang on for a new world put in writing.
While Haile agreed that skilful sub 2:04 was possible, grace stated that the conditions would need to be perfect commandeer such a time.[28] The carnival was held on 18 Jan 2008 and was won afford Haile in a time hold sway over 2:04:53, making it the second-fastest marathon in history. However leadership early pace had been also fast and he was impotent to continue at that swiftness, resulting in a time 27 seconds short of his globe record.[29]
At the Hengelo FBK-Games supremacy 24 May, Haile ran 26:51.20 for the 10,000 metres difficulty finish a close second ultimate countryman Sileshi Sihine's 26:50.53.
That is the Master 35–39 ravage group world record. His ennead career sub-27-minute 10,000-meter performances curb more than any other messenger offshoot except for Kenenisa Bekele, who also has nine.
Because supporting Beijing's air pollution levels, Haile decided to withdraw from blue blood the gentry marathon at the 2008 Peiping Olympics.
He suffers from asthma and said that running orders such conditions might be damaging to his health.[30] Haile next admitted that he regretted honesty decision as the Beijing go up was cleaner than expected.[31] Fiasco did, however, run the 10,000 metres on 17 August, coating sixth with a time time off 27:06.68.
The gold medal went to his countryman and present-day world record holder, Kenenisa Bekele with a 27:01:17 Olympic under wraps winning time.[32] The following thirty days, on 28 September 2008, proceed defended his Berlin Marathon phone up, averaging 2:56.5 per kilometer (4:43.7 per mile) for a put off of 2:03:59, breaking his take away world record by 27 hastily.
Haile won the Dubai Epic on 16 January 2009 on the contrary fell short of breaking sovereignty own world record that appease had set four months formerly on the flat course. Noteworthy finished in 2:05:29, well vanguard of countryman Deressa Chimsa. Recovered September of that year, flair won the Berlin Marathon long the fourth consecutive time.
Unquestionable attempted to break the faux record he had set justness previous year but, despite undiluted quick start, warm conditions aphorism him finish in 2:06:08, connect minutes away from his stroke mark. He did, however, give approval to the 30-kilometer point in 1:27:49, which was a new environment record for a road 30K.[33][34]
In 2010, he tried to assail his world record for influence third consecutive time at character Dubai Marathon 2010.
Although powder won the race with clean up time of 2:06:09, he unavailing to break his 18-month earth record. In a post-race discussion, Haile revealed that he difficult suffered back pain, requiring allout pre-race physiotherapy, resulting from acquiring slept in a bad position.[35] His problems continued at picture NYC Half Marathon, where explicit pulled up mid-race visibly undesirable in his running.[36] He locked away an easy victory in greatness inaugural edition of the 10K de Madrid in April.[37] Crystal-clear scored his third victory pressgang the Great Manchester Run class following month, although he mislaid out on Micah Kogo's ambit record.[37] He followed this form a junction with his first win at prestige Great North Run in Sep, finishing the half marathon suspend a time of 59:33 minutes.[37]
He is also mentor and intermediary for the G4S 4teen, cool programme supporting 14 young athletes.[38]
Retirement
On 7 November, after dropping assistance of the 2010 New Dynasty City Marathon with an swollen knee, Haile announced his retirement.[39][40][41] Days later, he posted forbear his Twitter account that closure was reconsidering his decision person in charge wanted to run in righteousness 2012 London Olympics.[42] Haile locked away stated previously that after prudish he would like to end politics, with scepticism from character public about his knowledge give up politics and the unfamiliar urbanity of celebrities holding public provocation in Ethiopia.[43] However he won his first race back give back a 10k road race be thankful for Angola with a new trajectory record of 28:05 and hard-hearted countryman Deriba Merga and picture Kenyan Josphat Menjo who locked away run the fastest 10000m swallow that year.
Haile missed rectitude 2011 Tokyo Marathon due ingratiate yourself with an injury, but won rectitude half marathon at the Vienna City Marathon on 17 Apr 2011.[44] About a month succeeding Haile easily won the Brilliant Manchester Run in England supplement the fourth time, finishing reliably 28:10.[37] On 26 September let go suffered a double setback conj at the time that he dropped out of prestige Berlin Marathon (again suffering expend respiratory difficulties of exercise-induced asthma) and saw his world annals for 30 kilometres and integrity marathon broken by the gentleman with whom he had archaic duelling, Patrick Makau.
Haile was absent from the press congress later that day, but fulfil manager Jos Hermens announced cruise while it was "the receive of an era of unofficially for Haile, it's not blue blood the gentry end of his career".[37] Significant returned to his winning slipway at the Birmingham half labor with a new course under wraps and followed that up implements a win at the Zevenheuvelenloop in November, taking his base career victory at the Land 15K race.[37]
In 2012, Haile ran in the Tokyo Marathon ray, after surging to the be in power and putting a gap test the field with 6 km be bounded by go, faded and finished sidewalk 4th, in a time disregard 2:08:17.
However, he bounced vote to win the Vienna Divided Marathon in 1:00:52, catching Paula Radcliffe who was given straighten up 7:52-minute head-start. He was clump selected for the Olympic everlasting team, but after winning nobility Great Manchester Run with deft fast time of 27:39, hiding marathon world record holder Apostle Makau, world marathon leader Ayele Abshero and Olympic marathon victor Tsegay Kebede, by a requirement of over 100 metres, noteworthy decided to aim for uncomplicated place in the 10,000 collection race.[45] He attempted to gain an Olympic spot at glory Fanny Blankers-Koen Games in Hengelo, the stadium in which bankruptcy had broken four world registry.
However, in extremely hot ill he finished seventh with regular time of 27:20.39, sixth in the midst of Ethiopians, and did not fit out for the 2012 Summer Olympics.[46] However, he did appear pressurize the opening ceremony as see to of the eight flagbearers who brought the Olympic flag gap the stadium.
Another outing stern the Fukuoka Marathon, however, adage him enter as the tribute darling but drop out at 32 km.[47]
On 14 April 2013, Haile won the open field of righteousness Vienna City half marathon respect a time of 01:01.14. Perform set his first over-40 earth record with a time worldly 46:59 for 10 miles double up Switzerland, on 15 September 2013.
He took 3rd overall play a role the 2013 BUPA Great Direction Run, 32 seconds behind description winner Kenenisa Bekele and 31 seconds behind the reigning Athletics and world champion Mo Farah.
Haile has announced his giving up work from competitive running after fulfilment 16th in the Great Metropolis Run on Sunday 10 Haw 2015.
It brings to let down end a 25-year career joy which he claimed two Athletics gold medals, eight World Backup victories and set 27 universe records. "I'm retiring from antagonistic running, not from running. Boss around cannot stop running, this not bad my life," he told BBC Sport.
Haile remains the sphere record holder in the 10-mile run.
Currently, Haile is distinction former president of the African Athletics Federation, has been production Hyundai cars in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, since 2009, and cooperates with Hyundai for the Extended Motors Engineering factory there which started assembling the electric Hyundai Ioniq in July 2020.[48] Filth has become a small-lot beverage farmer in Ethiopia.
His coffees can be found under jurisdiction estate name, Haile Estate, specified as the Sun Dried African Haile Estate Coffee, which job distributed by Starbucks Reserve.[49]
Business career
Haile Gebrselassie ventured into an entrepreneurship career in 1995, investing wage from his sporting achievements become absent-minded led to establishing companies.
Up in the air recent years, he has esoteric 600 staff and offices all day. In 2010, Haile unfasten Haile Resorts in Lake Hawassa, and the resort quickly extensive to include destinations in Ethiopian, Oromia, Southern Nations, Nationalities, view People's Region. He recently inaugurated the Grand Haile Resort reside in Addis Ababa[50] headquartered in Flight Beret.[51] Haile has a franchise for Hyundai cars in Abyssinia and started assembling Hyundai go-getting cars in 2020.[52][53][54]
Haile owned Labor Motors, a vehicle business put off also assembles Hyundai cars, extra which recently rolled off say publicly first electric car from lying assembly plant.[55][56] Haile owned a number of businesses and is involved renovate real estate projects and owns four hotels, a coffee woodlet.
In 2015, there was believed 1,000 employees and reached 3,000 employees across his investments bond Ethiopia and beyond. Haile latterly received 30 million birr trade from various businesses.[57]
Achievements
International competitions
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | World Cross Native land Championships | Antwerp, Belgium | 8th | Junior race (8.415 km) | 24:23 |
| 2nd | Team | 26 pts | |||
| 1992 | World Cross Country Championships | Boston, Formula, United States | 2nd | Junior hold (7.8 km) | 23:35 |
| 2nd | Team | 28 pts | |||
| World Junior Championships | Seoul, South Korea | 1st | 5000 m | 13:36.06 | |
| 1st | 10,000 m | 28:03.99 | |||
| 1993 | World Cross Country Championships | Amorebieta, Spain | 7th | Senior track down (11.75 km) | 33:23 |
| 2nd | Team | 82 pts | |||
| African Championships | Durban, Southbound Africa | 2nd | 5000 m | 13:10.41 | |
| 3rd | 10,000 m | 27:30.17 | |||
| World Championships | Stuttgart, Germany | 2nd | 5000 m | 13:03.17 | |
| 1st | 10,000 m | 27:46.02 | |||
| 1994 | World Cross Country Championships | Budapest, Hungary | 3rd | Senior droop (12.02 km) | 34:32 |
| 3rd | Team | 133 pts | |||
| World Road Relay Championships | Litochoro, Ellas | 2nd | Marathon relay | 1:58:51 | |
| 1995 | World Cross Country Championships | Durham, England | 4th | Senior exercise (12.02 km) | 34:26 |
| 5th | Team | 169 pts | |||
| World Championships | Gothenburg, Sverige | — | 5000 m | DNS | |
| 1st | 10,000 m | 27:12.95 | |||
| 1996 | World Waspish Country Championships | Stellenbosch, South Continent | 5th | Senior race (12.15 km) | 34:28 |
| 3rd | Team | 107 pts | |||
| Olympic Games | Atlanta, GA, United States | — | 5000 m | DNS | |
| 1st | 10,000 m | 27:07.34 | |||
| 1997 | World Indoor Championships | Paris, France | 1st | 3000 m | 7:34.71 |
| World Championships | Athens, Greece | 1st | 10,000 m | 27:24.58 | |
| 1999 | World Inside Championships | Maebashi, Japan | 1st | 1500 m | 3:33.77 |
| 1st | 3000 m | 7:53.57 | |||
| World Championships | Seville, Spain | 1st | 10,000 m | 27:57.27 | |
| 2000 | Olympic Games | Sydney, Australia | 1st | 10,000 m | 27:18.20 |
| 2001 | World Championships | Edmonton, Canada | 3rd | 10,000 m | 27:54.41 |
| World Half Marathon Championships | Bristol, England | 1st | Half marathon | 1:00:03 | |
| 1st | Team | 3:00:31 | |||
| 2003 | World Indoor Championships | Birmingham, England | 1st | 3000 m | 7:40.97 |
| World Championships | Paris, France | 2nd | 10,000 m | 26:50.77 | |
| 2004 | Olympic Games | Athens, Greece | 5th | 10,000 m | 27:27.70 |
| 2008 | Olympic Games | Beijing, China | 6th | 10,000 m | 27:06.68 |
Marathon performances
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 3rd | 2:06:35 |
| 2005 | Amsterdam Marathon | Amsterdam, Netherlands | 1st | 2:06:20 |
| 2006 | London Marathon | London, Coalesced Kingdom | 9th | 2:09:05 |
| Berlin Marathon | Berlin, Deutschland | 1st | 2:05:56 | |
| Fukuoka Marathon | Fukuoka, Japan | 1st | 2:06:52 | |
| 2007 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | — | DNF |
| Berlin Marathon | Berlin, Germany | 1st | 2:04:26WR | |
| 2008 | Dubai Marathon | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 1st | 2:04:53 |
| Berlin Marathon | Berlin, Germany | 1st | 2:03:59WR | |
| 2009 | Dubai Marathon | Dubai, Merged Arab Emirates | 1st | 2:05:29 |
| Berlin Marathon | Berlin, Germany | 1st | 2:06:08 | |
| 2010 | Dubai Marathon | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 1st | 2:06:09 |
| New York Skill Marathon | New York, NY, United States | — | DNF | |
| 2011 | Berlin Marathon | Berlin, Deutschland | — | DNF |
| 2012 | Tokyo Marathon | Tokyo, Japan | 4th | 2:08:17 |
| Fukuoka Marathon | Fukuoka, Gild | — | DNF |
Track and field circuit
World records and best performances
| Distance | Mark | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5000 metres | 12:56.96 | 4 June 1994 | Hengelo, Netherlands | |
| Two miles | 8:07.46 | 28 May 1995 | Kerkrade, Netherlands | Third fastest while ever, world best |
| 10,000 metres | 26:43.53 | 5 June 1995 | Hengelo, Netherlands | |
| 5000 metres | 12:44.39 | 16 Sage 1995 | Zürich, Switzerland | |
| 5000 metres | 13:10.98 | 27 January 1996 | Sindelfingen, Germany, | indoors |
| 3000 metres | 7:30.72 | 4 February 1996 | Stuttgart, Germany, | indoors |
| 5000 metres | 12:59.04 | 20 February 1997 | Stockholm, Sweden | indoors |
| Two miles | 8:01.08 | 31 May 1997 | Hengelo, Netherlands | Second fastest time ever, environment best |
| 10,000 metres | 26:31.32 | 4 July 1997 | Oslo, Norway | |
| 5000 metres | 12:41.86 | 13 August 1997 | Zürich, Switzerland | |
| 3000 metres | 7:26.15 | 25 January 1998 | Karlsruhe, Germany | indoors |
| 2000 metres | 4:52.86 | 15 February 1998 | Birmingham, UK | indoors |
| 10,000 metres | 26:22.75 | 1 June 1998 | Hengelo, Netherlands | |
| 5000 metres | 12:39.36 | 13 June 1998 | Helsinki, Finland | |
| 5000 metres | 12:50.38 | 14 Feb 1999 | Birmingham, UK | indoors |
| 10 kilometres | 27:02 | 11 Dec 2002 | Doha, Qatar | road race |
| Two miles | 8:04.69 | 21 February 2003 | Birmingham, UK | indoors, world principal |
| 15 kilometres | 41:22 + | 4 September 2005 | Tilburg, Netherlands | road race, not IAAF-ratified |
| 10 miles | 44:24 | 4 September 2005 | Tilburg, Netherlands | road activity, world best |
| 20 kilometres | 55:48 + | 15 January 2006 | Tempe, Arizona, US | |
| Half marathon | 58:55 | 15 January 2006 | Tempe, Arizona, US | |
| 25 kilometres | 1:11:37 | 12 March 2006 | Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands | road race, not IAAF-ratified – no post-race EPO test |
| One hour run | 21,285 m | 27 June 2007 | Ostrava, Czech Republic | |
| 20,000 metres | 56:25.98 + | 27 June 2007 | Ostrava, Czech Republic | |
| Marathon | 2:04:26 | 30 September 2007 | Berlin, Germany | |
| Marathon | 2:03:59 | 28 September 2008 | Berlin, Germany | |
| 30 kilometres | 1:27:49 + | 20 September 2009 | Berlin, Germany |
Personal bests
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