BY YOHANES JEMANEH
When the 1992 Olympic was held in Barcelona, the sport community was expecting the South African athlete Elana Meyer and other US and Ireland athletes to win the women 10,000m race. No one was supposing Ethiopia could emerge with flying colors in the competition represented by the then unknown young runner Derartu Tulu.
But Derartu amazed sport fans surging forward leaving behind her contestants on the last lap. And she did it! She won the gold medal to her country and her continent to become the first black African to win the race.
“I had no inkling about the meaning and value of winning a race in an Olympic situation at that time. It was when I returned home bagging a gold medal, rewards and enjoyed mass gatherings that I realized Olympic is a giant competition that entails athletics. It dawned on me countries expect their sport team to achieve victory and to let their flags the pride of flapping high in the sky,” Derartu said.
Following the Barcelona victory, Derartu ranked one step from a private police woman to commander level. Also her monthly salary increased by 600 Birr from 200. Her victory did not only change Derartu’s life, but also became an inspiring moment to several women runners to dream and crave for such a huge victory.
When it comes to her winning streaks, after the Barcelona’s success, Derartu had won over 13 gold, 2 silver,1 bronze medals with 3 diplomas participating in various competitions including Olympics, World Athletics Championships, World Athletics Final, Golden League, World Marathon and continental cups, among others.
Derartu that won several gold medals to her country and continent in the 10,000 meter races had inspired many runners to follow her suit and become successful in the international Olympic arena. Among them is found her niece Tirunesh Dibaba,the double Olympic champion.
The noble and veteran athlete Derartu had won several international competitions and received the accolade of stunning victories. She had bagged numerous medals representing her country. As such, she had allowed the national flag of Ethiopia to float shoulder high on the global sport arena.
Retiring from sport, she has also served her country in various leadership positions including the Ethiopian Athletics Federation. Currently, Derartu is President of Ethiopian Athletics Federation. She is also Vice President of the Eastern Africa Athletics Zone and member of African Athletics Confederation Council.
Recently, an acknowledgement ceremony was held to recognize Derartu for her multifaceted of ambassadorial role in the sport arena. This sport jewel did add luster to the name Ethiopia.
She was proffered 350 gram gold medal and 2020 model nexus automobile by the acknowledging committee. In addition, the Oromia state government has named the major square located at Adama city after her name- Derartu Tulu. Not only this, the state government has also called the Sululta academy,which is built at a cost of one billion Birr, to go by her name, according to State President Shimelis Abdisa.
The Addis Ababa City Administration has also spent two million birr to develop Hayat Square which will be named after Derartu from now and on. This is done to acknowledge Derartu’s relentless effort in building the image of her country across the globe.
On the occasion, President Ambassador Sahlework Zewde expressed in her video message that Derartu is anepitome of victory as she made whatever she can to her motherland. This paragon, who passed through ups and downs, is also the icon of patience.
Serving one’s country is a great opportunity for any citizen. It builds self-esteem and patriotic sentiment. “The youth should learn from my experience that serving own country will help them to develop self-confidence and to get acknowledgment from the people,” Derartu said after receiving the reward.
The Ethiopian Herald 4 April 2021
