Derartu Tulu pleaded for peace at the athletes' awards ceremony
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| The President of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation, Commander Derartu Tulu |
The President of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation, Commander Derartu Tulu, on Wednesday called on the federal government and Tigray forces to bring peace to the athletes who participated in the awards ceremony held in Belgrade.
Derartu Tulu appealed to the winners of the 18th World Indoor Athletics Championships to give Ethiopia the upper hand in the tournament.
"Tigray is still Ethiopia. Today it is Ethiopia. Tomorrow it is Ethiopia.
"The mothers and fathers of Tigray are our mothers and fathers. Tomorrow is another day. Ethiopia will be reconciled and united," Commander Derartu said in an emotional speech.
He noted that the athletes who excelled in the competition were in a difficult situation due to the war in northern Ethiopia. "Don't be discouraged. Tomorrow is another day. Thank you so much for raising the Ethiopian flag," said Commander Derartu.
Ethiopian athletes have won the 18th World Athletics Championships in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, from March 18 to 19, 2022.
Ethiopia finished first with four gold, three silver and two bronze medals at home.
Huluf Yedegom, a female athlete from Tigray, conveyed the same message at the forum.
Coach Huluf Yidego won the gold medal in the 3,000 meters, Lena Hailu won the gold medal in the 1,500 meters and Guadaf Tsegaye won the silver medal in the 800 meters.
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| Left-to-right silver medalist Axumite Embaye, gold medalist Gudaf Tsegaye and bronze medalist Hirut Meshesha |
Coach Huluf Yiddego told the BBC that the three athletes he coached had no place to train before heading to Belgrade to compete in the 18th World Athletics Championships.
"We didn't get much track in terms of the situation, so we practiced outside the track," he told the BBC.
"Sports is brotherhood, love, peace. These children [athletes] have stood up for peace and success," Commander Derartu Tulu said at a forum yesterday.
"We, the leaders of Tigray, and the leaders of Tigray, please unite for the sake of Ethiopia's unity and peace tomorrow," Derartu said.
Derartu Tulu, the first African woman to win a gold medal at the Olympics, is the first female athlete to wave the Ethiopian flag at a major event and is currently chairing the Ethiopian Athletics Federation.
In addition to the sport, Derartu is known for presenting questions and ideas that will benefit her country and her people in various forums.
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