Interview with Athelet Zerisenay Taddesse

“There is nothing more than seeing our flag rising in the international arena” Athelet Zerisenay Taddesse

Eritrea has shown a great progress in athletics, in a short period of time. For the first time ever in its history, it has become one of the 71 countries to gain a Bronze medal in Athens in the 2004 Olympic games. This was materialized via our brave athletes in general and Zerisenay Taddesse in particular.

A 24 years old Athelet Zerisenay Tadesse, is from Southern region athletics club. He was suddenly joined to the field of athletics. For his reputation in athletics he is now not only a hero of our country, but an international figure as well. Zerisenay is known for his talent in long distance running and recently he is ranked 11th from world best runner by the International Athletics Association Federation (IAAF).

An interview was conducted regarding his local and international experience in the field.

When and how did you start running?

In the very beginning, my enthusiasm was to take part in cycling competitions. And in 2001 I started competing for six weeks, and I got a good results. However, I was expelled from the tournament for the fact that, I was not a member of that Zone. As I got nothing to do with it, ultimately afterwards lost hope in cycling.
Meanwhile, It was my teacher Yonas who persuaded me to start running, when he heard from my classmates saying, that I could run well. After that, I started racing in 2002 in my school Ter’amni, and in that contest I stood first. Then I decided to work hard, dreaming one day I could become a famous athlete like Yonas Kifle and Gayme. Encouraged by their performance in running, I started taking it seriously. I began training, and participating representing my Zone in a number of contests.
In 2002, I participated in the national cross-country, representing my Zone, and, stood third. After that, I went to Ireland representing my country. And I stood 30th out of 200 competitors. This tournament was my first international experiences. When I went to Spain, I become acquainted to the situation. After that, I went to Switzerland and Belgium; I stood 6th in both tournaments. This was in 2003-2004. Here after, in 2005 I went to France, to take part in the 33rd international cross-country, in which I have shown tremendous improvements by standing second. My achievements in the 2004 Olympic games, was a landmark let alone for me, but for my country as well.
Concerning my family’s standard of living, well it is based on agriculture. As every member of our family, I was responsible to go to farming. When I came from school I went to our farm to reap, harvest and plough.

Being a latecomer, unlike many other athletes, in a short period of time, you have made tremendous achievements in major international competitions. What was the reason behind your success?

First, I would say it is from God. Beside this, I worked also very hard. Having a talent or gift without exerting your maximum effort is not enough. Yet you need to work hard in order to exploit your potential.
My primary objective was to improve my time. In the very beginning the way I was running was not that good. While running, my hands and legs were not proper. But I watched to other athletes as how they were running and I learnt the techniques of running from them. This was beside the training I was doing, and the gift that I have. Moreover, I got sport facility like shoes and sport wear which I never have before. So, this had a driving impact to improve my capacity in a short period of time.
The main thing is to have an aim and work vigorously with out losing your hope to its achievement.

Some people say that, the long distance from your home to your school has helped you to make a change in a short period of time. Because that by itself was just like doing a formal training or exercise everyday, before you start racing. What can you say about this?

Sure, daily I was using a bicycle to cover the distance of 16kms from our village to my school. I have told you, that I was interesting in cycle racing and my enthusiasm began from this. I can’t say it isn’t true. Usually my friends and I were going to school late, so we were obliged to go in haste. And in our way there are high and low elevated areas and we were racing to get to school on time. So it was a good exercise for me with out any intention of it.

What factors derived you to be come serious in your training?

I was very angry when I become last. I was always eager to know, why I stood like that. For example, when I stood 30th in Spain, I was curious to find out, that where exactly was my weakness and how I could improve my result? What majors should I take? I though it was my first experience that made it very difficult to win and the air condition was different from where I had trained. I was very angry. So, I decided that I have to work hard in order to improve this.

What can you say about the major contests you have had in general and the Olympic competition in particular?

In 2003 I stood first in 5000m in Golden league with a time record of 13:11. And also in the contest that I had in Switzerland the time record was 13:09 and in France as well 13:06. From those tournaments, I got a very big lesson as how I could become a very effective runner.
Olympic game, I was used to know it in name only. My colleagues like Yonas and Samson were telling me some thing about that, because they had already participated in 2000 in Sydney, Australia.
My victory in Olympic was great accomplishment not only for me, but also for my country as well. It was really beyond my expectation to stood third, because I was ready to try to come fifth and that was what I was advised via my coach.
At that moment, I was very happy to the extent I could not express my joy. Before that moment, in most tournaments I used to see other countries flag rising and I was very angry. But, when I saw my country’s flag rising among the flags of other powerful countries, I felt so thrilled. I was always yearning for the day to see our flag rising, and I was lucky to see my dream come true.
Besides this, when you happen to see many Eritreans who come from all corners of the world to give their support, you become encouraged to win. Eritreans in Diaspora always show us special hospitality and I am so grateful for them also.

You have participated in many international contests is there any circumstance that made you fell angry?

The most challenging thing during contest is that, you may get wounded or other athletes may hurt you intentionally or unintentionally. If such situation happens, your victory is far away. You have worked hard to win, but then if this happens you become very annoyed. For instance in the 2005 cross-country France, I was nearly fall dawn when a runner samples me. Had I been fall down, I would have lost my victory. And there was no one to be blamed of. Unfortunately it could not happen, and, as a result I won the contest to become second after Ethiopian athlete, Kenenisa Bekele.
 

You are now a public figure. Comparing to the life you have had before what differences do you experience in your everyday life?

It is good to be a famous person. And sometimes it surprises me when small children even from the countryside recognize me and call me by my name. However, I feel more responsible, because, before I became famous I used to think about my family and myself only. But right now I am always thinking about the people who, through their support help me to perform better. Thus, whenever there is a tournament I become determinant to come first.

You now hold an impressive position in the field of athletics, how do you plan to keep up your acquired position?

One thing I would like to make clear is that, I can’t always win all the contests even though I am working hard. There are different reasons that lead you to loss. Sometimes you may fall ill during training or something bad may happen unexpectedly. For instance, from my experience in the contest we have had in Europe, the race was on a track field, i.e. the racing ground is made of plastic. And as we didn’t have enough exercise on such fields, it was very difficult for us to compete and win.
One might get muscle contraction in the middle of a contest . For instance in one occasion I stood sixth, which was below people’s expectation. Although I could not score as I hoped, I was able to learn where my weaknesses lie so that I can work on improving them.
At the moment, with the experience that I have accumulated and with the training that I am doing here and in Europe, I am in a good condition. I hope to maintain and improve my standard in the forthcoming contest, which is to be held in Japan next month.

Many outsiders speculate that the more than 2000 meters altitude of Asmara, where it is a high pressure area could be the main reason that helped you to succeed quite easily in Europe, what do you have to say about this opinion?

Well it is true enough, Eritrea’s location and climatic condition is very suitable for athletes to become more effective. In fact, it is one of the best places in the horn of Africa, and expatriates also admire our climate. This is a natural gift. Athletes who train here have exclusive advantage to win in lower elevated areas of Europe. For example, if I stay in Europe for three months or more and when I come here, it becomes more difficult to adjust myself with the environment and suffer from shortness of breath. And it takes me some time to adjust myself.

You have been to many European countries, so how do you evaluate Eritrea’s position in Athletics?

As every one knows, Eritrea has become famous in international athletics and it has stood fourth in the long distance cross-country championship in 2005 in France. Not only this, it has stood also fifth in teenage racing. These outcomes were made viable not only via my personal accomplishment, but also other athletes like Yonas Kifle had played their part.
At the moment many youths have started to run encouraged by those achievements. The recent tournament in the village of Wokiduba is a patent evidence of the fact. In that contest, the numbers of athletes had increased tremendously. This shows us that, outstanding new athletes will come soon and I have great expectations from them.
In spite of this, I have also observed some athletes losing their hope in short period of time. But I would like to advice them to continue their effort, make a regular training and be patient to overcome their existing problems.

How is your relationship with other Eritrean athletes abroad?

We have a good relationship with the Eritrean athletes abroad. They are also reason for mentioning our country’s name in the world. When athlete Mebrahtu Kiflezghi stood second in the Olympic games I congratulated him. Since his victory is our victory.


How is women’s participation in athletics?

I think women runners have increased in number. In the national cross-country tournament 68 women have participated, however, this is not enough, they need encouragement especially from their parents and friends. Many parents discourage women to participate in running, fearing it might cause sterility. But this isn’t true. I know several famous athletes who are still running while having children.

As you know Eritrea is not scoring sound results in the short distance running, where do you think the problem lies?

The short distance runners need good training and exercise in gymnasiums. It is only a matter of training. Once they do that, there is nothing that can hinder them from winning.
In addition, they should also get a chance to participate in international contests to gain experience. Hence, this could be very helpful for them to improve their level and know their condition. Other problem I could mention is that the lack of stadium. Lack of track stadium is one of the main reasons that lead to loss in a contest. And without proper training on such stadiums, it is difficult to win. I guess short distance runners could have improved vastly much had these things were available.

Besides this, a national team should be established and it should go on all over the year so as to establish continuous training programs. Most of the time it is when there is a tournament that athletes are selected to form the national team. And with out having much training they go abroad for a contest. After returning back here, no one takes the responsibility to maintain the team or keep it organized. Thus every athlete goes his own way. At present there are only three athletics clubs namely Central, Southern and Gash Barka Regions. But there should be clubs on a sub-zone level that compete in the entire country. Consequently, you can cultivate a good spirit of competition among the athletes in order to keep up their standards.

As a successful athlete, what would you advice to other youths who are in sport?

First and foremost I would say that you have to have an objective and then work hard to its achievement. It is up to you to do what ever you want to do. But, if you have a goal it is unlikely to go against it. And after achieving your goal you must not stop working hard to maintain your success for as long as possible.
As I see there are some sport people who let a moment of success go to their head and develop undesirable and irresponsible behaviors. But, this is totally wrong, because it will eventually destroy their career. So, I encourage them to use their time properly so as to improve their performance. That will lead them to a fruitful life.

What do you do in your spare time?

Sometimes I read books and watch movies. And on Sundays I visit family and relatives. But most of the time I don’t have free time, as I am busy in training and after that I have to take some sleep.

Being a famous athlete you have influenced your brothers as well, how is their performance?

Three of my brothers are athletes. As you have seen my brother Kidane has made several breakthroughs in a short period of time. He stood first in the recent cross-country competition in the 8 km race. I am very proud of him and I always encourage him to achieve more than I did.

What about your future plans?

After some time I will be competing in the Marathon, but I need intensive training, so for a while I will continue competing in 10 and12kms races. I am more effective in long distance that is above 10km. But I am also planning to participate in 5000 meters to improve my speed.

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