"Gotytom Gebreslase, marathon champion separated from family due to Ethiopia's turmoil," said the runner as she triumphantly crossed the finish line at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Usually, Gebreslase chats with her family before and after competitions, but the telecom and internet outages in her hometown in Ethiopia made it impossible during this year's championship.
The 27-year-old athlete, marking her first World Championship title and a personal best record of 2:18:11, felt a mix of emotions as she raised her arms in victory.
"I wish I could share this joy with them," Gebreslase told CNN Sports. "It feels like a double happiness for me."
The conflict in Ethiopia, affecting her family in the region's north, weighed heavily on her mind, despite her appreciation for her victorious performance.
After securing the victory last July, Gebreslase caught sight of a news broadcast featuring an interview with her mother, bringing some comfort and assurance for her loved ones' safety.
Gebreslase's story of overcoming adversity begins from her childhood trials and tribulations in Ethiopia. She experienced bullying due to wearing shorts, often told that sports were only for boys. Yet, with uncompromising support from her family, particularly her mother, Gebreslase continued to push through the struggles.
Now living and training in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Abeba, Gebreslase's new challenge awaits her at the New York City Marathon on Sunday, her fourth major marathon in two years. She'll be competing against formidable opponents, including Israel's Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, Kenya's Perez ·Peres Jepchirchir, and two-time Olympic gold medalist Hellen Obiri.
Gebreslase's confidence and resolve to improve further on the track were bolstered by her success at the World Championships. She's keen on training harder to achieve better results.
Despite the uncertainties surrounding her family's safety, Gebreslase remains motivated to honour and impress them while racing in New York.
"Their influence has always been a driving force for me," she said. "I strive to make them proud."
Meron Moges-Gerbi and Bethlehem Feleke of CNN reported on the story.
Enrichment Data:
The Tigray region of Ethiopia is currently the focus of a conflict between the Ethiopian government forces and the regional Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The conflict, which began in November 2020, has resulted in significant humanitarian consequences, including displacement of populations, food insecurity, and disruptions to essential services, including telecom and internet infrastructure.
These disruptions could potentially affect the ability of individuals living in the conflict zone, like Gotytom Gebreslase, to communicate with their families and loved ones.
[1] "Ethiopia's Tigray conflict: a teacher scarred by violence" (Al Jazeera, October 18, 2021) [2] "Ethiopia PM Ahmed Abiy accused of crackdown in Amhara region" (Al Jazeera, November 11, 2021)
