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Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay will be seeking to emulate Sifan Hassan after signing up for three races at the Paris Olympics with two of them set to be against Kenya's Faith Kipyegon.
The Ethiopian Athletics Federation has announced its roster for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, and two-time world champion Gudaf Tsegay is set to compete in an ambitious triple: the 1500m, 5000m, and 10,000m races.
Tsegay, who has medaled in all three events at international championships, recently ran the third fastest 1500m time in history and holds the world record in the 5000m from last year’s Prefontaine Classic. She also posted the third fastest 10,000m time just a month ago.
This move adds significant excitement to the women's 1500m, where Faith Kipyegon was widely expected to achieve a three-peat. Kipyegon, who will run the 1500m and 5000m double, won both events at the last World Championships, setting up a highly anticipated showdown with Tsegay.
Tsegay's attempt to compete in three events mirrors the feat of Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Hassan won gold in the 5000m and 10,000m, and bronze in the 1500m, becoming the only athlete to medal in all three events at a single Olympics.
At the 2023 World Championships, Hassan repeated her remarkable performance with silver in the 5000m and bronze in the 1500m, though she placed 11th in the 10,000m.
Other notable Ethiopian athletes at the Paris Olympics include Birke Haylom and Diribe Welteji in the 1500m, Medina Eisa and Ejgayehu Taye in the 5000m, and Sembo Almayew in the steeplechase.
The 800m squad features Duguma, Alemu, and Mesele. On the men's side, Yomif Kejelcha will attempt the 5000m and 10,000m double for the first time, while reigning Olympic champion Selemon Barega will focus on the 10,000m alongside Aregawi.
National record holder Hagos Gebrhiwet will compete in the 5000m after a historic run in Oslo. The men’s steeplechase team includes Lamecha Girma, Firewu, and Wale.
One surprising omission from the team is 2022 10k World Champion and world record holder Letesenbet Gidey. The reasons for her exclusion have not been disclosed. Freweyni Hailu, Hirut Meshesha, and Biniam Mehary are listed as reserves.
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