admin
ADDIS ABABA. — Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay’s world title in the 5 000m is the biggest achievement of her decade-long career, but as she stood on the podium to receive her gold medal last July she was going through a personal crisis. The 25-year-old had not spoken to her parents and siblings for months.
Tsegay is from Tigray, a region in northern Ethiopia that was the epicentre of the country’s recent civil war between November 2020 and November 2022, with government troops battling Tigrayan forces fighting for independence.
The conflict claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, making it one of the deadliest of the 21st century.
As it began, the roads to Tigray were closed and a government-enforced communication blackout shut down telephone and internet services.
“Not being able to talk to a father and brothers who had been advising you to strive and achieve more success every day is very difficult. It is even hard to explain,” Tsegay told BBC Sport Africa.
“I didn’t talk to them for 18 months.”
Despite the separation and anxiety, Tsegay continued training in the country’s capital Addis Ababa with her husband, who is also her coach, Hiluf Yihdego – her pillar of strength during a difficult period.
“He is my husband at home and coach in the field. He helped me a lot when I was sad, he was right by my side,” says Tsegay.
Their hard work paid off in last year’s major competitions. On top of the outdoor world title claimed in Eugene, Oregon, she also claimed a first indoor world title in the 1500m.
“I am successful because I worked hard despite all the challenges. I celebrated my achievements with my husband and friends.”
“For an athlete to consider oneself successful it is to win the Olympics and World Championships – that was my dream and I achieved it.”
After crossing the finish line to claim her world title in Eugene, Tsegay was hoisted into the air by a man who had invaded the track carrying a red and yellow flag, a symbol of the Tigray region.
He was part of a group that marched around the venue, Hayward Field, after the race in a bid to raise awareness of the war.
That was in the United States – but the conflict had come to Tsegay’s own doorstep.
Late one night in December 2021, Tsegay and her husband were woken from their sleep by government forces who took Yihdego away.
More than a year on, she tearfully recalls the terror from that night. — BBC Sport Africa
Online Reporter