“ I feel a social responsibility. We need to open people's eyes. There is a lack of education in Ethiopia. Haile Gebrselassie
“ When you run the marathon, you run against the distance, not against the other runners and not against the time. Haile Gebrselassie
“ You must do as your people do. If my people are poor, I must be poor. People ask me, 'Why don't you find a personal coach or a private car?' I can't. Then I won't be part of my people. Haile Gebrselassie
“ Once you have commitment, you need the discipline and hard work to get you there. Haile Gebrselassie
“ You need three things to win: discipline, hard work and, before everything maybe, commitment. No one will make it without those three. Sport teaches you that. Haile Gebrselassie
“ I will always listen to my coaches. But first I listen to my body. If what they tell me suits my body, great. If my body doesn't feel good with what they say, then always my body comes first. 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
“ That is not enough. Sport has been great for me, a great learning place that if you want to achieve you can, even if you are from the poorest part of Africa. 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… 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'm lucky. The best possible place in the world for training is Addis Ababa, so I am home all the time except when I am racing. I like to be there, near my family, my kids, also the real estate busine… Haile Gebrselassie
“ What can you do if a part of it is uphill? You can't work out another route. You've just got to run the one they give you. But they tell me London is a nice course. Even the cobbles, I hope, are not v… Haile Gebrselassie
