'Ready To Pay Ultimate Price': Ethiopia's Olympic Medallist May Join War
NDTV
Ethiopian Olympic gold medallist and national hero Haile Gebrselassie, who set 27 long distance running records, said he felt compelled to join up because Ethiopia's existence was under threat.
Ethiopian Olympic gold medallist and national hero Haile Gebrselassie pledged on Wednesday to join the fight against rebellious forces in his country, after the prime minister said he had gone to direct the war from the front lines.
The 48-year-old retired champion, who set 27 long distance running records, told Reuters that he felt compelled to join up because Ethiopia's existence was under threat.
Haile, his lithe, athletic frame dressed in business attire, said he believed sport was about "peace and love". But he defended his decision to join the fight against rebellious Tigrayan forces and their allies, who last month threatened to march on the capital Addis Ababa.
"What would you do when the existence of a country is at stake? You just put down everything. Alas, nothing will bind you. I am sorry!"
