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For me a day without training is like a day without eating.
Haile Gebrselassie -
Since I achieved something, running has exploded in my country. For me sometimes it is difficult even to know who the athletes are who are competing at the highest level. There are thousands.
Haile Gebrselassie
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Athletics is in my blood.
Haile Gebrselassie -
It is not my duty to spend my money in my country, but it is what I want to do. There is nowhere else I would like to invest.
Haile Gebrselassie -
When I wake up at 5 in the morning is it just to jog? Definitely not, I give it all of my efforts.
Haile Gebrselassie -
What is important is to win.
Haile Gebrselassie -
You know for me when I promise something I want to deliver. If you don't, you have to disappear.
Haile Gebrselassie -
At the moment I am a little bit politician, yes. I think that could be my next step. It is not because I want power, it is because of what I think I could do for the people.
Haile Gebrselassie
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When you promise something, you must fulfill it.
Haile Gebrselassie -
Always, if you win mentally, you can win physically as well.
Haile Gebrselassie -
I love running and I will always run.
Haile Gebrselassie -
I remember in particular my first victory when I achieved a very fast time in what were perfect conditions but since then the wind has always been a factor against me.
Haile Gebrselassie -
I always tell young athletes the same thing, 'Wherever you go, whatever you do, what must your top priority be? Running.'
Haile Gebrselassie -
I find the business world hard.
Haile Gebrselassie
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My father thought sport was something fun - he didn't know it was a way to make money. Then I won a Mercedes at the world championships and I gave it to him. From the moment it arrived my father said: 'Good, you can support not just yourself but me too'.
Haile Gebrselassie -
I know what I want when I start a marathon: to win! But what do you want? Make sure you're clear in advance and don't go out too fast.
Haile Gebrselassie -
The more you are getting older, you lose a little something. Of course there is another advantage, because of your long experience you can use it.
Haile Gebrselassie -
I wanted to be famous. I wanted people to talk about me.
Haile Gebrselassie -
I think if you come first with a new world record, that is the best.
Haile Gebrselassie -
I was the kind of child who worked hard every day with the cows and sheep - I was a very aggressive boy.
Haile Gebrselassie
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In the marathon a crazy athlete can just keep pushing from the beginning, at a championship you don't need a time just to win the race.
Haile Gebrselassie -
This is what I wanted. They tell me that London is the best field in history. I wanted to be part of that. Because everyone will be there it will be a wonderful challenge for me. You can see the best runners, how they look, how they run. For me to beat the best is what counts.
Haile Gebrselassie -
Athletes have to be confident and I am thinking like that.
Haile Gebrselassie -
First, do enough training. Then believe in yourself and say: I can do it. Tomorrow is my day. And then say: the person in front of me, he is just a human being as well; he has two legs, I have two legs, that is all. That is mentally how you prepare.
Haile Gebrselassie