Pronunciation of Bekele

An Ethiopian told me it was Beh kuh luh with the accent on the first syllable.

Be-Kee-Lee

I don't think pronunciation is too important. If you're talking to someone outside the running community, they won't know who he is anyway.

Anyone within the running community knows that everyone pronounces him name differently, so they'll know who you're talking about anyway.

Python wrote:

What is the correct pronunciation of Bekele?

Americans pronounce it beh 'kay lay

Brits say 'be kuh lay

Salazar's group says be 'kee lee

which one?

Closest to your first one. the proof? Straight from the great man's mouth (and yes, I believe he is the best source on how to pronounce his own name)-

And he adds a little extra "h" sound on the end of his last syllable. Not sure how to write that out phonetically.