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| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men'sAthletics | ||
Representing Ethiopia | ||
| Olympic Games | ||
 | 2000 Sydney | Marathon |
| World Championships | ||
| 2001 Edmonton | Marathon |
Gezahegne Abera (Amharic: ገዛኸኝ አበራ; born April 23, 1978) is an Ethiopianathlete and winner of themarathon race at the2000 Summer Olympics.
Born inEtya,Arsi Province, Gezahegne's first international competition was the 1999Los Angeles Marathon, where he finished fourth, behind threeKenyans. That earned him a place in the Ethiopian1999 World Championships team, where he finished eleventh.
Later in the 1999 season, Gezahegne won his first international marathon,[1] finishing first atFukuoka marathon in Japan. He won that marathon again in 2001 and 2002. In 2000, Gezahegne finished second in theBoston Marathon.
At theSydneyOlympics, the marathon race came down to two Ethiopians, Gezahegne andTesfaye Tola, and KenyanErick Wainaina. At the 37 km mark, Wainaina tried to make a break, but 2 km later Gezahegne surged to the lead and held the position to the finishing line. At 22 years old, Gezahegne was the youngest marathon champion sinceJuan Carlos Zabala inLos Angeles 1932.[1]
In 2001, Gezahegne won theWorld Championships by a meresecond ahead ofSimon Biwott from Kenya to become the first person to achieve anOlympics-World Championships marathon double.[1]
In 2003, Gezahegne won theLondon Marathon in 2:07:56. At the2003 World Championships, Gezahegne had to abandon the race due to injury, but he was selected in the Ethiopian2004 Olympic team. Again. injury kept him from the race. His wifeElfenesh Alemu was also selected to the 2004 Olympic team, finishing fourth in the women's marathon.[1]
Gezahegne's repeated injuries ended his running career at a relatively young age. He and his wife own a hotel and property development business.[1]Gazagn is now a member committee of Ethiopian athletics federation.
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