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(Blog) My apologies to Ethio fans
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Opinion | By Blogger Jaalala

To all readers of my blog, I think I owe you all an apology for making you watch the DREADFUL, TERRIBLE running by Ethiopians in Berlin on SATURDAY afternoon. I wrote on my last Blog my prediction that Ethiopians might get a lot of medals on Saturday.  I hope no one will blame me for being hopeful about Meseret and co. But I was wrong entirely. She ruined a Saturday night of many Ethiopians.

 I truly believed that Ethiopia would win 4 or 5 medals on Saturday. But the Kenyans won the 4 medals instead. What an irony!

Anyway, the last day (SUNDAY) was the real party for Ethiopia as Kenenisa won AGAIN and Aselefech CAME OUT FROM NOWHERE to take bronze in the women’s marathon! That was a great ending for Ethiopia.

On another note, I felt very bad for our Gelete Burka in the 1,500m race. I couldn’t understand why Natalia (of Spain) pushed Gelete to the ground. Very heartbreaking! If Natalia did not make her fall, Gelete would have won the race.

And Then, I couldn’t understand what IAAF was doing. I was somewhat happy that the Spanish girl was disqualified (after she finished the race first and “won”). But at the end of the day, what did Gelete get from the disqualification of the Spanish girl? Nothing! There should be some kind of monetary award or consolation prize for runners who are PUSHED during races like this. But the IAAF just punished the wrongdoer without comforting the victim. That is bad management!

What made me even more mad was that when Natalia got disqualified, they gave the GOLD medal to the second place winner, who happens to be Maryam Yusuf Jamal of Bahrain. This is even more insult to Ethiopians! Maryam Yusuf Jamal was an Ethiopian citizen until she betrayed us and changed her citizenship to Bahrain for money just because she couldn’t make it into the Ethiopian national team at her younger age.  She even changed her Oromo (Ethiopian) name from Zenebech Tola to Maryam Yusuf Jamal! As a protestant-Christian, I was offended how Zenebech Tola changed her name to “Maryam Yusuf Jamal” the way she did. First, she sold her country for money. Then, she sold her religion for money. What is left?

Even though Natalia from Spain pushed Gelete, I would rather see Natalia win the gold medal than the traitor “Maryam Yusuf Jamal”! But, oh well, here is the video for those who didn’t see the pushing incident.

I think Sunday was still a great day for Ethiopia. 1 great gold medal from Kenenisa and an unexpected bronze medal in the marathon. Imagine if Gelete was not pushed. Ethiopian team could have been in the top five world ranking. In my heart, Gelete was a great winner that day even if she was tripped.

Now, I can’t wait until Tirunesh and Sileshi get back on the track. The honeymoon has been long enough!  I also advise the team managers to start expanding our reach to the 400m and 800m.There is no reason why Ethiopia can not dominate most of the events from 400m all the way upto the Marathon in 5 to 10 years.

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The views expressed in this blog do not represent the views of Jimma Times or its staff. The views are solely the blogger's. To become a blogger for Jimma Times, contact us for full details.

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Comments 14 comments for this article
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Added: August 26, 2009. 05:35 PM GMT
Man you have a clear problem, and please Gelete wouldn't have won never seen a leading runner for a hole race being surpassed by two competitors at the last turn and making the victory at the end, she was very tired and I find it very convinient that she fall to the ground.
Anonymous
Added: August 26, 2009. 08:46 AM GMT
funny guy
I like the fact this guy is honest about his feelings. a piece of advice to him would be 'fix yourself and the world in your eyes would be fixed.'
Anonymous
Added: August 25, 2009. 07:47 PM GMT
Youve got to be kidding me
"She even changed her Oromo (Ethiopian) name from Zenebech Tola to Maryam Yusuf Jama"??

As an Oromo I don't seen the difference between Zenebech and Maryam, they both are not Oromo name. On the side note, I am glad she run to Bahrain, convinantly not carry the Habesh flag during the victory run.
Anonymous
Added: August 25, 2009. 05:12 PM GMT
viva ethiopian team! they did great despite losing big atletes
Anonymous
Added: August 25, 2009. 06:53 AM GMT
Millions of Ethiopians are working all over the world in different fields. Are you mad at them too?


Anonymous
Added: August 25, 2009. 06:21 AM GMT
Gelete would have won
What is so annoying is that Gelete would have won that title. She slowed down on purpose on the curb as all Ethiopian runners do. They usually hug the curb and slow down enticing challengers to come on the outside and tire themselves out. That was exactly what she was doing. She would have won until she was pushed mercilessly by that selfish Spaniard. Kudos to Gelete Burka the hero.
Anonymous
Added: August 25, 2009. 02:38 AM GMT
let us hope that Zenebech leaves bahrain and comes back to her original country
Anonymous
Added: August 25, 2009. 02:30 AM GMT
Get a Life
What i think of your post is, you simply think the planets revolve around you, but you must wake up from such a dreadful life.

The fact is any individual has the right to change their nationality, and religion. If they so choose, they can claim to be a monkey, who are you to dissect someone's life and freedom of choice? What you would prefer is to pump your chest on their success.

You should throw your personal issues with the folks who have made a great Saturday for you on your Tv Screen, while you were sitting there and thinking race, ethnicity and religion.

A total loser, who is an empty suit
Anonymous
Added: August 25, 2009. 01:31 AM GMT
Leave her alone
As a protestant chrstain? who the F*** told you that Ethiopia is belongs to protestant bullshit? do not try to limit others rights and interest!!!



I hate a stupid ethiopian protestants by the way!!! Leave the poor girl alone nither oromo or Ethiopia is belongs to stinky protestatnt!!
Anonymous
Added: August 24, 2009. 11:14 PM GMT
Partially wrong
To talk about what should have happend is dificult, because there is no way to prove it. Anyway, I think that Gelete Burka wouldn't have won the race, because she was exhausted. Her sprint was so far, and both Natalia, Jamal and even Dobriskey would have beat her. In my opinion, Natalia should have wait and pass Gelete from the outside, and the final result would have been the same: Natalia, Jamal and Dobriskey
Anonymous
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