Letesenbet Gidey (Tigrinya: born 20 March 1998) is an Ethiopian long-distance runner.
Letesenbet Gidey was born in Endameskel in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. She is the youngest of four siblings, having two brothers and a sister, and grew up on the family’s farm.
She was expelled from school as a 13-year-old for refusing to run in physical education classes and was only allowed to return when she agreed to take part. She then won a 3000m/2000m steeplechase double for the Tigray region at the Ethiopian Schools Championships in Shashemane in late 2012.
A 10,000 metres 2020 Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist, she won a silver medal in the event at the 2019 World Championships and gold three years later in 2022. Letesenbet holds the current world records for the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres, which she set in October 2020 and June 2021 respectively. She is the first woman since Ingrid Kristiansen from 1986–1993 to hold them both simultaneously. In October 2021, she set the world record in half marathon, breaking previous mark by more than a minute. She also holds the world best in the 15 km road race.
We congratulate our brave athlete Letesnbet Gidey on her victory in the World Athletics Championship being held in Oregon, USA.
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