Haile Gebrselassie

Haile Gebrselassie

Born
Apr 18, 1973 (53 years old)
Birthplace
Asella, Ethiopia
Events
5000 Metres Short Track · 3000 Metres Short Track
Height
1.65 m
Weight
56 kg

Haile Gebrselassie is an Ethiopian former long-distance runner and one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the sport. He won two Olympic gold medals and four World Championship titles over the 10,000 metres, while also claiming four world indoor titles and the 2001 World Half Marathon Championship. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest distance runners of all time.

Gebrselassie competed at the highest level across distances ranging from 1,500 metres to the marathon, excelling on the track, indoors, in cross country, and on the road. Over his career he set 27 world records and broke 61 Ethiopian national records, spanning from the 800 metres to the marathon. He won the 2008 Berlin Marathon in a world record time of 2:03:59, a mark that stood for three years. He also won the Berlin Marathon four consecutive times and had three straight victories at the Dubai Marathon.

Beyond athletics, Gebrselassie built a successful business career, contributing to economic development in Ethiopia. He was named one of the 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2011.

Personal best · 5000 Metres Short Track12:50.38
2015 season best30:05May 10, 2015 · Manchester
Medals9Olympic Games: 2 gold · World Championships: 4 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze
Area record21285One Hour

As of Nov 2, 2026: 5000 Metres Short Track 12:50.38, 3000 Metres Short Track 7:26.15, 2015 season best 30:05 (May 10, 2015, Manchester (GBR)) · Olympic Games: 2 gold · World Championships: 4 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze · Area record (One Hour) · 53 years old

DisciplineResultAll-time
800mIndoorDortmund 19971:49.351,100 pts–
1500m19993:33.731,193 pts#153
1500mIndoorStuttgart 19983:31.761,275 pts–
MileGateshead 19993:52.391,170 pts–
3000mBruxelles 19987:25.091,271 pts–
5000mHelsinki 199812:39.361,287 pts#5

Medals

CompetitionsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
Olympic Games2––2
World Championships4217
Total6219

Progression

Compare me
SeasonDisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
201510Kilometr 30:05–May 10, 2015Manchester (GBR)
201410Kilometr 30:00–Dec 7, 2014Singapore (SGP)
20134MilesRoad 17:31–Oct 13, 2013–
201310Kilometr 28:00–May 26, 2013Manchester (GBR)
201310MilesRoa 47:00–May 19, 2013Bern (SUI)
2013Semi 1:00:41–Sep 15, 2013Glasgow (GBR)
201210000m 27:20.39–May 27, 2012FBK Stadium, Hengelo (NED)
201210Kilometr 27:39–May 20, 2012Manchester (GBR)
Compare me with Haile Gebrselassie
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Haile Gebrselassie's 5000 Metres Short Track personal best is 12:50.38, set on Feb 14, 1999.

Haile Gebrselassie competes in the 5000 Metres Short Track and 3000 Metres Short Track.

2015 season best: 30:05, set on May 10, 2015 in Manchester (GBR).

Haile Gebrselassie has won 2 Olympic Games medals and 7 World Championships medals.