Tamirat Tola: From being left out of the team to bringing home Marathon Gold for Ethiopia

This is Deji Ogeyingbo’s feature on Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola, the winner of the 2024 Men’s Olympic Marathon on August 10, 2024. Tamirat Tola won his first marathon finish in 2017 at the Dubai Marathon (Tamirat had DNFed in Berlin in 2015). 

Tola continues the great Ethiopian tradition in the marathon, which dates back to 1960 and 1964, with the Olympic wins by the great Abebe Bikela. 

Tamirat Tola: From being left out of the team to bringing home Marathon Gold for Ethiopia

On a crisp, clear morning in Paris, 80 of the world’s top distance runners set off from the heart of the French capital, weaving their way west towards Versailles and back. The race began with a measured pace, but as the runners neared the finish, it became a thrilling sprint, showcasing why the Olympic marathon is one of the most captivating events in sports.

Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola emerged as the standout athlete, dominating the race with his aggressive running style. Tola, a 32-year-old renowned for his ability to perform in warmer conditions, led the pack for most of the marathon. As the sun began to rise and temperatures climbed, he surged ahead, eventually crossing the finish line in an Olympic record time.

This victory is a crowning achievement for Tola, who has steadily risen in the ranks of long-distance running. Despite not initially making the Ethiopian team, Tola was prepared when he was called upon to replace an injured teammate. It was even shown in a video that went viral of him running hundreds of miles in Ethiopia one week before flying to Paris. His preparation and determination paid off, as he captured one of the most prestigious titles in athletics.

Tola’s win places him among the greats of Ethiopian distance running, a nation that has produced some of the most iconic marathoners in history. With this victory, Tola’s name will be mentioned alongside legends like Abebe Bikila, who famously won the 1960 Olympic marathon barefoot and sparked East Africa’s dominance in the sport.

“I trained hard so I could win,” Tola said. “I was fully prepared and knew I could fulfill my dream.”

The race also had its share of surprises and heartbreaks. Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and the only man to have run a marathon in under two hours struggled with cramps early in the race. Despite his efforts, he could not finish, marking a disappointing end to his Olympic career. Sadly, not every dream has a fairytale ending. Certainly not for Kipchoge, who has transcended the marathon event for the last decade.

Meanwhile, Belgium’s Bashir Abdi secured the silver medal, and Kenya’s Benson Kipruto took bronze, both runners performing admirably in the grueling race. Tola, however, was in a league of his own, leading the race with confidence and precision, never looking back once he made his decisive move.

Tola’s dominance was evident as he neared the finish. With about four miles to go, he glanced over his shoulder at the 35-kilometer mark to assess the competition. Seeing that the chase pack was nearly 100 meters behind, he knew victory was within his grasp.

Even Kenenisa Bekele, one of Ethiopia’s most decorated distance runners, was praised for Tola’s performance. Though Bekele finished 39th, he couldn’t help but admire the younger runner’s prowess, calling it a “fantastic” result.

As Tola crossed the finish line, he not only secured his place in history but also solidified his standing in Ethiopian culture. In a society that holds its distance runners in the highest regard, Tola’s victory ensures his name will be celebrated for generations.