Life in fast lane inspires Ethiopian athletes

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia: On the concrete tiers of Meskel Square, a vast rallying point in Addis Ababa, armies of aspiring athletes scamper around despite biting, pre-dawn cold as they wait for their trainers to arrive.

Across the plaza, rigorous practice routines are well underway under a giant screen where track greats Kenenisa Bekele's and Tirunesh Dibaba's famous double wins at the Beijing Olympics were relayed live to thousands of ecstatic fans.

"The earlier you wake up the better," said 17-year-old Tirusew Wolde.

But he conceded that a major incentive for most young runners is the desire to rack up riches as they've seen Ethiopian track stars do in recent years.

"Of course I want to," said Dissassa Jifar, when asked whether or not he was spurred on by the possibility of boosting his bank account.

"Look at them. Not only have they succeeded on the track but also off it. They are leading very comfortable lives," he said in between shivers.

In this ancient capital, the past 10 years has seen a boom during which shimmering office blocks and high-rise hotels have sprung up thanks to a strong economy, which emerged after decades of dictatorial mismanagement.

Star athletes like Bekele, Dibaba and Haile Gebrselassie, who all grew up in rural poverty, are using their winnings to build nest eggs for the day when they hang up their running shoes.

Just a few blocks from where Dissassa trained, a recently built office complex owned by the legendary Gebrselassie has changed the skyline of a once rundown district.

The 36-year-old Gebrselassie is probably the best example of an Ethiopian rags-to-riches story. He has come a long way from the deprivation he grew up in in the fertile Arsi region.

After hitting the track, "the little prince", as he is known here, has never looked back.

From sports marketing to cinema to the hotel industry - his new five-star hotel will be inaugurated next year - the veteran runner's business empire is now estimated to be worth more than $50 million.

No matter how great their motivation, Ethiopia's aspiring athletes today face something their idols never had to experience in their early years: spending curbs.

Governing sports bodies throughout Africa have seen their budgets sapped due to lack of funding, according to experts, and a handful of continental competitions have already been cancelled this year.

The likes of Dissassa and Tirusew, however, are more than determined to make the grade despite the challenges.

"I'll give it my best shot," said 25-year-old Dissassa, who, by Bekele's standards, would be characterized as a late developer.

"You never know what happens tomorrow."

AFP