Addis Ababa, December 13, 2019 (FBC) – President of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF), Derartu Tulu met with Japan’s Olympics Minister Hhashimoto Seiko in Japan today.
Recalling her experience in representing her country in four consecutive Winter Olympics, Hashimoto expressed her appreciation for the strength and competitiveness of Ethiopian athletes.
She also thanked the Ethiopian delegation to participate in the half marathon race that will be held in Kashima, Japan to commemorate and acknowledge the legendary Ethiopian Marathon runner- Abebe Bikila.
Derartu on her part commended the Japanese acknowledgement extended to the Ethiopian Athlete and said Ethiopian athletes are ready to repeat Abebe Bikila’s records at the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Para-Olympic Games.
The Ethiopian ambassador to Japan Kasa Teklebrhan praised the Government of Japan for taking the initiative to host the half Marathon Competition in the name of Ethiopia’s legendary athlete and said “this would be a testament to the strong Ethio-Japan relations.”
Abebe Bikila’s son, Yetenayet Abebe was part of the Ethiopian delegation that was led by Derartu Tulu, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.