Ethiopia honours former athletes with wreath-laying ceremony

Addis Ababa, December 13, 2020 (FBC) –A wreath-laying ceremony was held today at the St. Joseph cemetery in honour of former Ethiopian athletes.

Sports Commissioner, Elias Shikur, Ethiopian Athletics Federation acting President, Derartu Tulu, and Ethiopian Olympic Committee President Ashebir Woldegiorgis attended the event.

Among the athletes honoured today include, Abebe Bikila, Mamo Wolde, Miruts Yifter, Running Coach Woldemeskel Kostre and prominent sport journalist Demissie Damte.

On the occasion, the re-erected statue of Mamo Wolde was inaugurated.

The names of Abebe Bikila and Mamo Wolde hold a legendary feeling in the history of the Olympics.

The two runners gave Ethiopia an Olympic marathon monopoly in the 1960s.

Abebe died on 25 October 1973 and Mamo passed away on 26 May 2002.

Miruts was a winner of two gold medals at the 1980 Summer Olympics. He died at on 22 December 2016.