Gebrselassie Plots Move Into Politics

It was once said that if Haile Gebrselassie ever stood for president of Ethiopia no other candidate would get a single vote. It is a theory that he is going to put to the test.

The man who is arguably the greatest distance runner in history is so distressed by the plight of famine-stricken Ethiopia that he feels it is the only way that he can solve some of his country's problems. "I am planning to enter politics once I quit the athletics scene," he said yesterday.

Ethiopia needs immediate aid of several hundred million dollars, and international agencies have warned of a catastrophic toll in human life if the problem is not addressed soon. "The situation back home always plays on my mind," said the 29-year-old, a deeply religious man. "Ethiopia has a lot of problems but nothing is worse than the prospect of seeing millions die because they can't afford or don't have access to simple food."

A former athlete entering politics is hardly unique. Sebastian Coe, now Lord Coe, was elected as a Conservative MP after he hung up his spikes while the Liberal foreign and defence spokesman Menzies Campbell was a former captain of the British athletics team. And then, of course, there was Jeffrey Archer, an international sprinter before he made a name in other ways.

None enjoyed the status of Gebrselassie, however. But he is not interested in power for its own sake. "A high political post brings with it a lot of powers and I can use some of it to help my people who have been suffering for a long time now," he said. "I want to do something to alleviate poverty and that is what inspires me to enter politics."

Gebrselassie has won four world championships at 10,000 metres as well as two Olympic titles. In terms of world track records he has set nine outdoors, six indoors and in December set a world best for 10km on the roads. His achievements are unsurpassed.

It is impossible to over-emphasise how popular Gebrselassie is in Ethiopia. Think David Beckham and multiply it a thousand times. When he returned from Sydney in 2000 after winning a second con secutive Olympic gold it was the biggest event in Addis Ababa since the funeral of Emperor Haile Selassie.

A squadron of MiG jets was sent by the government to accompany the athlete's flight home, and he was met by the entire cabinet for a procession from the airport to the city centre, which was watched by a million wildly cheering fans.

Gebrselassie's political ambitions will be put on hold until after the 2004 Athens Olympics at the earliest, however. He plans to run the 10,000m at the world championships in Paris in August, in an attempt to reclaim the title he lost in Edmonton in 2001, and then make another attempt at the marathon.

On his debut performance in the London event last year his time of 2hr 6min 35sec was among the fastest ever. But for a man unaccustomed to defeat, finishing third was a strange feeling. "I have decided to leave the marathon until at least after Paris but I would never want to leave my career at that event with a defeat," said Gebrselassie.

"I know that I will become completely a marathon runner and leave the track altogether and so no, my marathon career is not at an end."

The effects of running in London left him with a series of injuries which wiped out much of 2002. But typical of Gebrselassie, he returned in December and set a world best of 27:02 for 10k in Doha, Qatar. That earned him a $1m (£610,000) bonus, the most earned by an athlete in a single day.

Gebrselassie, clearly approaching his best again, is planning to compete in Birmingham this month as part of his preparation for the world indoor championships there in March, when he will run the 3,000m. In the Norwich Union Indoor grand prix on February 21 he will attempt the world record for two miles of 8:09.66 set by his countryman Haylu Mekonnen four years ago.

"Birmingham is almost like my home town," said Gebrselassie. "I remember running here in 1999 when it seemed half the spectators were Ethiopians. There is a very special atmosphere here. I love it."

Running for office: Athletes who became politicians

Menzies Campbell

Former British team captain and sprinter who is now the Liberal Democrat defence spokesman.

Jeffrey (Lord) Archer

Made one appearance for Britain as a sprinter before becoming a Tory MP. Currently serving a prison sentence for perjury.

Sebastian (Lord) Coe

Became Tory MP for Falmouth but was never as successful in politics as on the track. Was once voted the worst new MP in the Commons. Now sits in the Lords.

Jim Ryun

Former world record holder at 1500m and mile; won the silver medal in the 1968 Olympic 1500m. Currently serving a third term in the US Congress for the Republican party.

Bob Mathias

Won consecutive Olympic decathlon titles in 1948 and 1952 and served four terms in the US Congress as a Republican.