Lessons from the London Olympics

London
city showed what is like at its best! 
It is fascinating, it’s kind, its Positive and helpful but most of
all,  London gave the world a
spectacular sporting events as well as other entertainments in these past two
weeks.  When the world descended on
this usually crowded and cold city, beginning some three weeks ago, the locals
make every effort to accommodate its international guests.  In fact, a lot of Londoners have vacated
the city to accommodate the incomers- not to mention the vast Olympic village
dedicated for Olympiads   and
their families in the historically run down East of London no doubt whose image
is changed totally after these events.

Thank
god, the usually miserable British weather did not disappoint either.  Well, apart from Sunday, the 8^th.  That was the day the female 10,000
marathon.  We were soaked by the
rain for two hours with our flag raised and screaming our lungs out Ethiopia,
Ethiopia, Ethiopia each time the Athletes came round.  It was a really hilarious day.  Some of the people were looking at us as
crazy souls whilst others talked to us enthusiastically.  It was well worth it!  Our Ethiopian girls did not
disappoint.  The brave and wonderful
Tiki Gelani roared in and gained gold, despite being knocked down accidentally
by another runner while she tries to reach for a water bottle.  That was what true Ethiopian instinct is
about.  To get down but get up again
and win!” I take my hats off” to her- as my people over her
say. 

Our
own Dibaba has been a constant pride too. 
Apart from what she can do in the race and gaining gold in the women 10,000,
there is something special about this girl.    She is a natural in-front of the camera;
so photogenic, sweet and very professional.  I am star struck by her.  My five year old son decided he should
be renamed Dibaba from this point on. 
Who knows, anything goes in this adopted land of mine!

There
was more pride and impressive performance by our female athletes.  Meseret Defar’s golden victory on
the women 5000 race was so exciting and a spectacular performance.  I absolutely love the way she brought
out her killer instinct on the last lap.   No doubt, Meseret’s commitment to
Emeye Mariam helped too!  Hope this
does not set a trend of pulling out the pictures of Mariam and Gabriel when
winning.  No offence to Ms Defar.   It was Bronze for Our Sofia Assefa on
steeplechase- which was quite encouraging.   Given jumping is not really our cup
of tea! 

So, overall, great performance by Ethiopian girls.  I must say, I was actually moved by the girls
for many reasons.  I know how tough
it is for Ethiopian women generally. 
The discrimination and neglect they face is enormous, they have families
to support, some have young children so, to conquer all these social and
bureaucratic challenges and reach to this position requires a hell of
determination.  Even those who did
not win anything are winners in my eyes. Respect to our sisters, you made us
proud!!! 

 As for our men, what can I say, some
tried; Dejen Gebermeskel particularly but the new kid on the bloke, Somali
born- British athlete, Mo Farah was simply unstoppable.    He showed what hard work and
determination can bring.   
I must say, what a lift this has done to the Somali community in UK who was
not usually seen in great light. 
Well done Mo!  You are an
inspiration to aspiring immigrant kids. Tariku Bekele got bronze for men 10,000,
it could have been worse.  Overall
it was a very disappointing performance on our men folks.  On the last day of the Olympics the BBC
commentator said “no doubt there
would be an inquiry in Ethiopia, as to what went wrong” I hope he is
right and there damn should be!  It
is clear for all who want to see and hear that something is not right in
Ethiopian athletics. 

So
what went wrong?  I do not know, I
am not a sporting expert but a patriotic spectator and as such   I am giving my own assessment as
well as those fellow Ethiopians around me. 
The eye does not lie so, I   saw a few things that prompt me to write
this.   I saw lack of enthusiasm; I witnessed
lack of fitness.  I also noticed
some of them losing their places on the last few yards.  What is going on?   Why do our athletes lack enthusiasm these
days?  Everything I witnessed raises
a lot of question for the Ethiopian Sports Federation and how its run. 

It
is evident our sporting stars are not up to scratch anymore.    Why is that the case?  Why do they look so unhappy and lack
enthusiasm?  Are they treated
well?  If not why
not?  What is the problem
here?   Or is it that they have
made a few bob now, that the hunger to win is gone through the high rising
building that is synonymous to them? 
This is a serious matter.  Sports,
especially athletics are what we shine on as a nation.  It is the one source of national pride
on international venue, where we see our county flag raised in good faith.  So it matters to many of us- country and
city folks alike. As well as the large Diaspora scattered around the globe!  It means a lot! 

The
other thing that I witnessed is their kit. 
C’mon, do they have to wear the same kit every international
appearance year in year out?  Are
the Ethiopian sports federation that skint?   or it is
that lack of enthusiasm again?  I
particularly take issue with the girls’ kit.  I find it a bit revealing.  Why not look around.  There are so many pretty, classy shorts
that other athletes wear. It should not be that difficult to shop around.  After all they are historically winning
team so I assume Nike and Co. are too happy to dress
them and sponsor them- just go for good design. 

 I particularly liked the American team; boy,
did they look pretty and fit in their shorts!  I love their make up too.  They take a lot of pride in their
appearances; which I believe is just as important. Team GB was not bad either.
They had special clothes designers for the occasion.   I know, it’s alright for
some, we are not them and cannot afford it de.. da.. de.. Like the British singer
Jessie Jay at the closing ceremony swaggered in the stadium singing “it is
not all about… money, money…… just wannna make the world
dance…. Ain`t about the bling bling ain’t about the price
tag….. ”  
Similarly, the Olympic is not just about money; yes you need billions to
fund it, that is not in our league so we don’t need to worry about
that-yet.   We do however need
to get our acts together.  The
Olympics is about participating, winning, raising ones flag, it is about
bringing our best and delivering it the best way we can.

It
is an international arena and event. 
Let us show some all around enthusiasm in these events-please.  One is representing one’s country
here you know!  So appearance
matters.  Besides, for those who are
smart enough to understand the significance of the Olympics, this is actually the
time to court the eyes of big sponsors.  A beautiful smile, tidy appearance and
confidence are just as valuable as strong legs!  

I
hope Team Ethiopia has drawn a lesson from London.  London showed a range of enthusiasm in everything.  In the different sport its team
delivered in a spectacular manner. 
They won 29 gold, 17 Silver and 19 Bronze in all-their greatest
achievement since 1908!     The city showed great Olympic spirit and
super organisation too. From transportation to volunteering, everything was
great.    When we see the opening and closing
ceremony, it is not the glitter that should catch our eye -although that was spectacular
too but the artistic nature, the message, professionalism , the energy,
enthusiasm, its deliverance and  the
overall  commitment that went into
it.   It was classic British
eccentricity in its original form! 
When I watch these things my heart always race to my homeland and wonder
and dream one day, we too, would be able to show such enthusiasm to sporting
events.  I hope I am right. 

The
author can be reached: [email protected]