Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - An array of distinguished African athletics talent, the like of which had never been gathered in one place before, assembled here Tuesday (29) night to launch a hall of fame marking the continent’s rich history. From the son of Abebe Bikila, through the likes of Kip Keino, Miruts Yifter and Frankie Fredericks, to present-day stars such as Meseret Defar, Tirunesh Dibaba and Haile Gebrselassie, the occasion overflowed with star quality.
Of the 75 athletes inducted at the first “African Hall of Fame Gala”, 37 were present to receive their awards in the city’s Sheraton Hotel. Described as a night to mark almost 50 years of the continent’s success, from the first Olympic gold medal won by an African in 1960, courtesy of Bikila in the men’s Marathon, tributes came thick and fast from leading dignitaries.
To qualify for the Hall of Fame athletes had to fit one or more of three categories: Olympic gold medallist, World champion, or World record breaker. But, as Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, the President of the Confederation of African Athletics, said: “For some of you here, it may be all of the above.” http://www.iaaf.org/aboutiaaf/news/newsid=44634.html
Of the 75 athletes inducted at the first “African Hall of Fame Gala”, 37 were present to receive their awards in the city’s Sheraton Hotel. Described as a night to mark almost 50 years of the continent’s success, from the first Olympic gold medal won by an African in 1960, courtesy of Bikila in the men’s Marathon, tributes came thick and fast from leading dignitaries.
To qualify for the Hall of Fame athletes had to fit one or more of three categories: Olympic gold medallist, World champion, or World record breaker. But, as Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, the President of the Confederation of African Athletics, said: “For some of you here, it may be all of the above.” http://www.iaaf.org/aboutiaaf/news/newsid=44634.html
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