My Thoughts About the Triumph of the Spirit Over the Body

Ahmed A. Moen

Nov 10, 2010

I was watching Haile, Dirartu and Gebre, three Ethiopian athletes running the NY Marathon on Sunday, November 7, 2010. As always, I felt that the participation of Ethiopian Athletes are exemplary and indicative of the resilience of their characters and magnanimity under duress. The withdrawal of Haile and Dirartu are honorable moves that tell us that the Olympic Motto is well and alive. It says that "the purpose of the Olympic competition is not only to win but also to take part. " These two giants were both winners and participants who valued the universal motto as their guidance and promise to take part and excel among their peers. But they also realized the roll of aging and how to pass the torch to the next generation of competitors who stood side by side with them when the moment came to move forward and still look back if your body is still behind and struggling to the finishing line.

Haile tried to demonstrate that in as much as human endurance is elastic it has limitation and nature is the final judge of events. The recognition that Haile and Dirartu has stamina and tolerance that have reached their maximum, they both felt they need not to continue because of just they were winners in the past and have to defend their record. Their records stand out and until someone comes and replace them. Pride has not place in the Olympic motto. It is participation and presence on initial and finishing lines.

The triumph of their spirit helped avoid the tragedy of broken bodies and bones at the end of the day. The magnanimity of the heroes came when some one reaches you and try to lend a hand to lift you up but the answer from Haile was Gebre go forward and I am okay. You have to finish what we started and you will do it. Being there with the greatest achiever is a testimony of the good will and friendship and amity among two generations of Ethiopian athletes who value harmony and magnanimity. Imagine when Gebre pulled beside Haile and tried to reach out and lift his spirit if not his ailing body. The reply from Haile, the great athlete, was keep going on, you are as important as I am and you are the future and I am not left behind because of you out there. A wonderful gesture of two heroes standing above the horizon and up, up and away. Go for it brother was the order of Major Haile.

Gebre believed in Haile and pulled on to be the winner. He did not leave Haile, his idol, behind but he kept him in his mind and heart to the cross the finish line. He kept looking back still not believing that Haile's shadow will emerge like he did in in the past as real sprinter. Once again he kept looking who is next. But he was alone in his first place as the new rising star over the skylines of New York, the seat of the United Nations and the Apple of America. The Ethiopian athletes were on top of the world and enjoying the sunshine despite the fallen leave of the Autumn dressed in gold and green. The golden leaves were falling along their pathway in 5 NY boroughs and the three athletes, Haile, Dirartu and Gebre kept moving leaving behind the skylines and bridges of Apple City the United States of America.

A final word. Haile, my friend and Shimagile for peace, that was how I was introduced to you years back. I realized your altruism and leadership. I also believed in you when we worked together for peace and hope for Ethiopia. Worked for reconciliation and forgiveness to one another. You are one of a kind and a hero that will not be eclipsed by the passage of time and the darkness of the day. Keep striding forward because your footsteps are music to your ears and tapping them set the dancing pace. You may gracefully fade away for the time being when you decided to retire. Great men fall but they get up fast and continue to finish their jobs by any means. You did exactly that when you asked Gebre to move on. Their spirit hangs on and people like Gebre finish the job that both of your in the men's marathon started.

As for Dirartu, she is still the star, up, u and away like a beautiful balloon. Keep going up and reach the stars, Sister.

God bless Ethiopia and her children who believe in hope and peace for all. I am also in my twilight zone too, but I can see the sun rise far beyond the Ethiopian mountains and over the valleys and meadows. The sun will never sets as long as we have young men and young women who carry the legacy and the torch to the finishing line in place including the horizon of New York. That will be the day, when Diaspora will come together to celebrate the finished product of the triumphant Ethiopian spirit on the sport field as an example of endurance which overcomes tragedy and sing the song of victory at the end of the day.

Ahmed A. Moen, Professor of International Public Health at Howard University, Washington D.C. and a Member of the Ethiopian Elders for Peace. 8/11/2010.