Hi,
I promosed to translate the interview for english speakers.
Basically i can't so the whole thing .. but here are the Q&A's for the interesting stuff.
Q. What is his current condition?
A. I am in good condition my speed is good. My 15K was also faster than the WR by 6 seconds. So now i have to focus on the last stages of the marathon (last 10K) my coach is saying i need to focus on endurance from now on.
Q. So you are preparing for the Amsterdam Marathon.
A. Yes.. the marathon is unpredictable, there are many ups and downs.. you don't know what will happen to you until it happens to you.
Q. Why is the current state of the marathon in ethiopia poor.
A. The old chain of winner .. has been come undone. We don't see continuity in marathoning. Some athletes have come and done well for themselves for a while.. but overall as a country we are behind because we don't have continutiy.
The 5 and 10k was empty before i started and now we are untouchable and our reign will not stop because the forest the streets and the fields are full of runners. With the marthon, the focus and continuity will return in due time. we have to make a chain for the next 5 years
We have to make sure athletes stay in the country and not go to the middle east.
Q. What is the key to success?
A. There is no secret besides work and training and being able to run through the pain and the agony. You have to preserve yourself. A candel in the wind burns out to quickly. You have to take it in doors where there is little wind, and light it when you need it only. you have to race sparingly
Q. Do you want to right a book about your training?
A. Yes, i used to tell Dr Kostre. This training we are doing... we have to right it down and preserve it. We will do this soon.. Sometimes you learn from the coach.. but the coach also learns from you. it is not always top down.
Q. I heard that you like Football what is your favrt team?
Chelsea (because manchester and Arsenal dmoniated) and chelsea bucked the trend. I don't like coach (morino) because he is not a good sportsman. From national teams i like the Germans because they never give up... If they are 3 goals down the take a disciplined approach and fight to the end. there should be a parallel application of this in running.
Additional... Haile has met Rud Van Niselroy.. the Manchester United Dutch forward and they chatted about achillies problems...
I only watch chelsea matches.. i don't follow too closely.
Q. What is your biggest accomplishment.
A. Without a doubt the most special was sydney. That was amazing
Q. What are your thoughts about Tergat.. we all love him because he seems like a gentleman and a good sport?
A. Tergat is special, he is a professional, he shows good sportsmanship. After the race he comes to me and says.."still again second". If he looses he shows his oponents respect. This is something you have to learn in soport. in sport there is winning and loosing. You have to prepare for both outcomes. and when you loose you have to respect and recognize the winner.
Q. What about Daniel Komen?
A. He was very talented. He beat me once in 1996. But i think he was like the candel example. maybe there is another reason for him disappearng but he really raced a lot in 97 and 96. he was at almost every meet.
Q. Caller... i have a 16 year old relative that trained all summer and run 14:28 in the 5k.. he is good... what should i do?
A. That is an excellent time. You should take him to a local club .. the spots for athletes that are paid to run for a club may be full.. but there are clubs where he can just train with the club and get more exposure.
Q. What are your thoughts about Paula Radcliffe. also you were in london during the blast.
She is amazing 2;15 is unbelievable. I have sympathy for her on the 10K. I have talked to her and she said..."what are you ethiopians doing to me... is it possible to win" of coase i want ethiopia to win.. but i am happy that she got her gold medal this time.
The blast happened 30 hours after i was there.. in the same area.
Sorry for the length and the spelling errors.. I just free styled it while i was listening.
See link below for those that want to hear in amharic.
If there is anything on DR. Yilmas interview that was done sept 3rd i will post it too.
Cheers