Eritrea in China: Great Play at the Olympics

Three Eritrean runners, Zerisenay Tadesse, Teklemariam Medhin, and Kidane Tadesse, competed against the top 10000M runners in the world. Eritrean runners for the first time in history took early charge of the race.

With Eritreans runners taking command of the race, the commentators were constantly naming Eritrea and giving Eritrea and its runners the recognition they deserved. This was great for the country as these athletes continue to solidify Eritrea ’s position among the world’s greatest runners.

Zerisenay finished 5th with a time of 27:05:11; Kidane finished 12th with a time of 27:36:11; and Teklemariam came in at 32nd clocking in at 28:54:33. Zerisenay was within striking position at the end but came in one second after the bronze medalist. We congratulate our athletes for a great race.

Yared finished 8th in the Marathon meeting his expected result. Yonas and Yared did great in the race. Simret Sultan broke a national record in the heats of the 5000m. Kidane also qualified for the final round of the 5000m while Ali missed it by couple ranks. Hais Wolday, who opened the door for Eritrea's 1500m Olympic race did well despite his experience and beingh 19 year old. Nebyat and Tesfayohannes did their part in the Marathon.

EAAA talked with all the runners and coaches. Their spirit is high and are making the highest preparation.

The Eritrean runners are humble, a little bit shy and did not say much. Their message was " Ab Awet Yerakibena !". Coach Levingston and coach Abebe are with the team that is about three hours flight away from Beijing and have confidence in the runners and the tactic they are going to play.

Hais ran the 1500m second heat at 19:19 Beijing time On Friday the 15th of August( 07:19am Washington, DC time).

Nebyat ran the marathon at 07:30 am on Sunday Beijing time ( Saturday 7:30pm DC time.)

Zerisenay, Teklemariam and Kidane are ran the 10000m on Sunday at 22:45 Beijing time ( 10:30am Washington, DC time)

Rustom Fessehatsion, Journalist for the Olympic team, has said : " The runners are in good mood. The embassy and the Olympic team has coordinated things well and things are running good and we just wait for the events."

Eritrea has now the know how and can outplay the top countries in running in tactics.

Please visit www.eaaarunners. org for information about the Olympic team performances.

Long live Eritrean Athletics,

EAAA

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