FLY OUR DREAM TO THE HEART OF AFRICA
Dikembe mutomo
He is the only center to rank among the top ten all time in steals
from cameroon legend roger milla’s astounding displays at the World Cup in Italy in 1990; Nigerian international Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha’s mesmerizing displays over the years; Haile Gabrsellassie’s almost total domination of long distance races… the list is just endless. However, this post aims to take a look at ten of Africa’s best athletes in the last few years. Not necessarily in terms of their net worth – Ghanaian football star Asamoah Gyan would definitely feature in this list having being one of the highest paid African footballers last season – but looking at their performances and achievements and how well it they have affected the continent in a positive way.
However here we are not only going to talk about these contemporary famous footballers we are going to highlight the so often forgotten but oh ! So deserving veteran athletes like the racers Haile Gabrsellasie, Kenenisa Bekele and Hicham El Guerrouj, The Basketball players Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo, the Legends Frankie Fredericks and Roger Milla, and without forgetting the excellent women athletes from the continent like the outstanding Montsho Amentle and Blessing Okagbare.
1
Haile Gebrselassie: THE world’s greatest distance runner
Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele the Ethiopian athletes are to distance running what the Beatles were to rock music, setting streaks of world records that are still unbeaten todate. Haile Gebrselassie set a number of world records throughout his career in distance running ranging from the two mile up to the marathon. He won two Olympic gold medals, both in the 10,000 meters, and racked up several major marathon victories, including four in a row at the Berlin Marathon. He also has an impressive collection of World Championship medals, both indoor and outdoor.
2
Kenenisa Bekele: the first man to win both 5000m &10,000m title at the same championships
Kenenisa Bekele on the other hand is a threetime Olympic champion in the 5000 and 10,000m. Bekele set the world record for 5000 (12:37.35) and 10,000 meters (26:17.53) in 2004
54 | inzozi – rwandair’s inflight magazine