Ht: 5-6 Wt: 95.
DOB: June 8, 1985 In: Chefe village, Arsi, Ethiopia
Running Inspirations: “There were a lot of athletes that I admired but in particular I can think of Derartu (Tulu – her cousin) and Haile (Gebreselassie).”
Hobbies/Interests: “I watch movies and I also go to churches.”
Musical Tastes: “Lots of American music [smiles]. Ethiopian music, Ethiopian folk singers, Teddy Afro.”
First Running Memory: “I started athletics when I was 14.”
Nicknames: Tiru, The Baby-Faced Destroyer.
Early Running Memory: “The six kilometer I did in my hometown, that’s what I remember. (How old were you and what place?) I was 15 and I was second.”
First Job: “Athlete.”
First Car: “I got a BMW 750 (black).”
Pre-Race Feeling: “My feeling is to win. Or be a very good competitor in the race.”
Favorite Meal: “Injera – it’s traditional Ethiopian bread.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate and strawberry [smiles].”
Greatest Sports Moment: “When I got the 5 and 10,000 (meters at 2008 Olympics in Beijing). That was the greatest moment.”
Most Painful Moment: “When I lost the Golden League in Berlin to (countrywoman and rival) Meseret Defar. (If Tirunesh had won that sixth and final event of the Golden League, she would have earned a portion of the $1,000,000 jackpot for winning all six events of Golden League.)”
Embarrassing Career Memory: “None [smiles].”
Favorite Athletes To Watch: “I watch a lot of sports. In particular I like soccer. And when it comes to athletics, I watch every event. (Any particular favorite athletes?) 100 meters men and Sanya Richards in 400.”
Family: Husband, Sileshi Sihine.
People Qualities Most Admired: “To see people equally.”
Career Accomplishments: 2004 Olympic bronze medalist in 5000m – youngest Ethiopian to win an Olympic medal; Also won world championships in the 10,000 event (2007, 2005) and the 5,000 (2005, 2003).
Topics: 2008 Olympics, Bmw 750, Career Accomplishments, Defar, Derartu Tulu, Ethiopian Music, Female Athletes, Folk Singers, Greatest Sports, Haile Gebreselassie, Hobbies Interests, Middle Distance, Musical Tastes, Olympic Bronze Medalist, Olympic Champion, Olympic Medal, Painful Moment, Sanya Richards, Sports Moment, Teddy Afro
Biofile with Tirunesh DiBaba | 