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Tumultuous Crowd Greets Ethiopia's Athletes
Back from the Sydney Olympics
I walked over. "Tesfaye, I just want to know one thing. During the marathon, what did you say to Gezahegne when you turned to him and muttered something toward the end? What were the exact words you said to him?"
"I just said, "Go!" ("Heid")
I laughed and wandered off to ask marathon gold medalist Gezahegne Abera
Tesfaye Tolla
"He just said, "Pass, ("Elef")" Gezahegne said.
"What did you think of the reception?"
"I have never seen anything it like it in my life,"Gezahegne said. "I will always remember it."
"You know, not a lot of people knew about you. Did you go into the race thinking you were going to win?"
"I knew I was going to do well, place in the top ten," he said. "But I can't say I expected to win."
I found all the athletes I spoke to very approachable and down to earth. Gezahegne for instance, exuded, the aura of a person who had just won $100 million in the Lotto and has found 100 million new admirers.
Fans having their pictures taken with marathon hero Gezahegne Abera.
Million Wolde, who notched a gold medal in the 5,000 meters, with a fan.
Silver medalist Gete Wami poses with fans.
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