It's official this time:
http://www.letsrun.com/news/2015/05/the-great-haile-gebrselassie-retires/
Thank you Haile. I'll never forget being at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics after the 10k and reaching out over a railing to congratulate Geb as he went into the tunnel. He put up his hand and it nicked my hand. I thought it was the coolest ting.
Geb were an inspiration to myself and millions. Without that inspiration I'm not sure LetsRun.com would exist.
Share your thanks in this thread.
Haile is the greatest of all time, if for anything, just his smile. No one has done more for running than Haile has and it's a sad day to see him finally hang it all up.
He deserves a blackout page
mo x bekele x geb. one of the most amazing races I have ever watched.
Thank you Haile.
Geb, you are awesome.
Thank you for sharing all your love and charisma for running.
My best wishes to you.
Thank you. You are the biggest inspiration.
Greatest runner of all time, also a great man. Thank you Haile for inspiring me and for being an idol.
Geb showed the highest level of sportsmanship, class, and determination through a career that spanned well beyond his contemporaries. A legend and icon! Thank you.
Haile your achievements will live long in our memories. Most inspirational sporting figure ever. I'm sure he'll continue to have a big impact improving the lives of Ethiopians back home.
Neftegna for life!!!!!!!!
Such a wonderful athlete and amazing person. So many inspiring races to remember. Just one of the less famous moments, but Haile running down the West Side Highway in NY - just *flying* and apparently effortlessly - to win the NYC half marathon.
Thanks for the memories, Haile, and best wishes in everything you do in the future!
You know an athlete is truly great when the letsrun comments are all positive.
Thank you to the GOAT.
Haile. A truly class athlete and man. And what a smile:)))
more than likely a leader in doping
Getting to meet Haile G was almost as much of a pleasure as seeing him race. Maybe more of one, really.
Cheers.
Geb was indeed (and is) an inspiration to so many people.
I got to see him in the Sydney 10 000m. Awesome.
Thanks for all those moments you gave us, Geb.
Certainly one of the best ever, and one who cemented a memory in my mind forever with that 1996 finish v. Tergat. A joy to watch, thanks Geb!
Thank you, Haile, for all your wonderful performances and that smile.
--I once got free parking in a downtown Seattle high-rise, because I asked the Ethiopian attendant if he'd ever heard of "Haile Gebrselassie?" !!!
My Emperor, Thank You for all the great moments that your running (and smile) brought into my life!
I got to watch pretty much all your great Olympic races and world records on TV. Even though I was a couch potato back then, eventually that spark got me into running myself.
Even though You'll no longer be running, I know that replaying Your great races still boosts my motivation like nothing else.
You'll always be the Greatest to me.
Forever a legend
The Greatest - Thank you Haile.
Never forget watching the 2000 Oly and the unforgettable battle with the ever resilient Paul Tergat.