“Our victory is linked to the forested areas where we practice” Says athlete Tamrat Tola, the Paris 2024 Olympic Marathon Champion, who spoke about the role of green areas in promoting sports. Indeed, Ethiopia is well known for its outstanding performance in athletics especially long distance running. It is also believed that the altitude and forest coverage of the areas where the athletes do exercise have some role in the effectiveness in athletics.
Ethiopia’s forest habitats are diverse, ranging from tropical rainforests to montane forests and woodlands. Forest development is clearly an important part of Ethiopia’s environmental and economic plan.
Ethiopia is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including several endemic species, hence the country employs forest development to maintain and safeguard the biodiversity and ecosystems of the country. In addition, Furthermore, forests serve an important role in biodiversity conservation and animal habitat creation.
Forest development is also very important for the country’s social and economic well-being. Forests support the livelihoods of many rural populations through timber, non-timber forest products, and fuelwood. The forestry industry also contributes significantly to job creation and revenue growth.
Taking these facts into account, Ethiopia’s successive governments have launched reforestation and afforestation initiatives. Unlike past regimes, the current Ethiopian government has established and implemented reforestation and afforestation efforts, including the Green Legacy Initiative, which aims to plant billions of trees. This is a very important program since it focuses on community-based forestry management approaches that encourage more local participation in conservation initiatives.
As a result, these forest areas play a crucial role in the country’s sports promotion. By offering natural training settings, forest development may have a substantial positive impact on sports and athletics in Ethiopia. for instance, popular athletes in Ethiopia have access to great training grounds in the country’s varied forest area settings. The terrain’s variation also can improve endurance training. Cross-country racing may benefit greatly from the use of forested areas, which can support regional and national sporting events.
Forest areas also encourage outdoor activities across the country. Particularly since Entoto Park was built, a lot of Ethiopians visit it for a variety of sports. Adventure sports lovers go there by attracted their natural beauty, which can promote an outdoor culture that includes mountain biking and orienteering. They maintain their health by participating in simple sports. Having access to natural settings promotes physical activity, which improves community health and is crucial for producing future athletes.
As a result, for Ethiopian runners, forests provide a unique combination of physical, emotional, and communal advantages that can improve their training and overall athletic performance. Practicing in forest areas helps runners develop resilience, enhance their abilities, and establish a stronger connection to their heritages and surroundings by utilizing the natural environment.
Cognizant of forest development in the country, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (Dr.) has called on the people to plant 600 million seedlings overnight as part of Ethiopia’s forest development efforts. The Prime Minister asked the public to put their legacy throughout Ethiopia with a cohesive attitude, saying, “When we come together, we can achieve more.” Accordingly, Abiy stated that adults and youth would show their love for the country by planting 20 and 10 trees, respectively. Let’s make sure our contribution to the future generation is in the correct location”, he said.
Following the PM call, Tamrat Tola and other Paris Olympics competitors responded by planting tree seedlings at the Gulele Plantation Center. During the event, athlete Tamrat Tola, who won the marathon medal at the Paris Olympics this year, stated: “Our victory is linked to the forested areas where we practice.” “We are able to win because we are enjoying the windy and fresh air created by the trees in the areas where we always practice.”
He added “I always practice in the forest areas. I, and the majority of the athletes who drove our country to victory, love the breezy air provided by the trees in the mountain places where we exercise. I am pleased to be able to plant tree seedlings in an area where I can develop my skills.”
“The athlete and the forest have a deep and linked relationship. We would not be able to reach our goals unless we practiced in a forest setting. Because when we practice to be a winner in the world athletics race, we practice having fresh air which is not polluted by various things”, he commented.
He explained, saying, “I have loved planting tree seedlings ever since I was a child. Thus, contributing to the Green Legacy initiative, which aims to plant one billion trees nationwide, entails safeguarding the environment and ensuring that people have access to clean air. Athletes in particular can gain strength, achieve success, and maintain their health by training in forested environments.”
The Green Legacy initiative is an example of an Entoto area that prevents excessive temperatures from arising as a result of climate change while also providing fresh and breezy air. As a result, he imparted the message that “We must always plant saplings to make Ethiopia a better place, a more comfortable and pleasant country for its citizens. Everyone should take care of the saplings they plant, just as they would their own children.”
He stated “Just as we made Ethiopia famous by winning the race, we must do more to make our country famous through the Green Legacy initiative. Hence, all Ethiopians should make planting and nurturing seedlings a part of their culture.”
Indeed, Ethiopia’s forested areas offer a unique and excellent setting for sports training. They boost physical performance through altitude and varied terrain while also promoting mental health and community connection, making them essential to athletes trying to develop their abilities and endurance.
Ethiopia’s forested settings help greatly with athletic training, notably for runners. It offers altitude training. Elevations in many forested locations aid athletes in developing endurance and improving oxygen usage, both of which are critical for performance. The diverse terrain helps athletes build strength, agility, and balance, which improves overall sports performance. Aside from that, forested settings are often cooler than metropolitan ones. This can be advantageous for training, especially during the warmer months, since it allows athletes to exercise more comfortably.
Furthermore, forest development in Ethiopia not only improves the ecological landscape but also creates chances for sports and athletics. Ethiopia can cultivate a healthy population, encourage environmental stewardship, and generate economic possibilities through sports tourism by combining sports projects and forest conservation measures.
Therefore, it is important not only to plant tree seedlings but also to construct environmentally friendly infrastructure in the forest areas. Building sports facilities in tune with nature encourages sustainability while also offering athletes with unique training options. Forested locations are effective training grounds for athletes, giving a tranquil setting suited to concentrated training away from urban distractions.
BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 20 AUGUST 2024
