The Olympic gold medallist runner and winner of 26 world records, Haile Gebreselassie, believes that an important part of sport is hard work.
Raise Your Game: You are an amazing inspiration to people. What keeps you going?
Haile Gebreselassie Oh, thank you. I'm always just running hard and doing things properly. I look forward and do my best.
RYG: You must put so much hard work into this?
HG: Yes no question about that. The most important part of sport is hard work - that's why I'm always doing ok.
Profile
Name:
Haile Gebreselassie
Events:
5,000m, 10,000m and marathon
Achievements:
- Two Olympic gold medals (1996, 2000)
- Four World Championship gold medals (1993, 1997, 1999,2003)
- Two World Championship silver medals (1993, 2003)
- World Championship bronze medal (2001)
- Winner of the Great Manchester Run (2005, 2009,2010)
- Winner of the Fukuoka Marathon (2006)
- Winner of the Amsterdam Marathon (2005)
- Winner of the Berlin Marathon (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
- Winner of the Dubai Marathon (2009, 2010)
RYG: And you're loved here. The crowd absolutely love you...
HG: Well, you know, the crowd, especially here in London, you cannot see this anywhere - it's fantastic. It's not just because there are so many people, it's also the way they support us as athletes and sports people.
RYG: And they are as committed to you as you are to your sport.
HG: It's fantastic - you know I always want to come to London. When I was invited by the organiser here, I was so happy. I don't know why, maybe just because of the crowd and atmosphere.
RYG: And it's great to see all the young people here tonight who just want to see you.
HG: Really, really, they're calling me! It's like my home town. It's fantastic!
RYG: And memories here tonight?
HG: A lot - you know, this crowd is unforgettable.
RYG: Sport is such an important thing, but it's the way that you treat people as well.
HG: Absolutely. In sport, the most important part is to communicate, to make friendships, to make peace. By doing sport you can do everything.
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