In many ways, Ethiopia still maintains a Wild West attitude towards sports. The selection of the Ethiopian Olympic athletics team is often marred by various intrigues, a common occurrence for Olympic teams. This is not a new phenomenon, as we have seen similar controversies in the past, such as athletes being excluded from relay squads in the US for wearing the wrong shoe brand. Fortunately, such issues appear to have been addressed.
Similar instances of controversy have been observed in other countries. For example, British selectors faced criticism for not utilizing World Athletics selections to give athletes with Olympic potential a chance to compete in Paris. The British Athletics management defended their actions, sparking outrage among athletes and fans alike.
At the end of the day, it seems that every country has its own set of challenges and controversies when it comes to sports.
Unexpected hurdles have arisen in the preparation of Ethiopian athletes for the Olympic Games, as reported by AIPS Media. The National Olympic Committee has intervened in the selection process, leading to discontent within the National Athletics Federation. Athletes like Tsigie Gebreselama and Sutume Asefa have questioned their exclusion from the team despite impressive performances this year, sparking a debate over the selection criteria.
Tsigi Gebreselama, March 16, 2024, The TEN, photo by Wendy Shulik,
