Many people know that Ethiopia is poor. When I break a world record, maybe people get to know something else about Ethiopia, something good. We can't make planes or cars, we don't have the materials. We do what we can.

In my life I do a lot of things but I never forget my training.

If you're planning only to make money and nothing else, you'll be broke.

I can't change everything by myself but I can be one of the people who are trying to change the situation.

I remember in particular my first victory when I achieved a very fast time in what were perfect conditions but since then the wind has always been a factor against me.

When I had no shoes I was comfortable - I used to run barefoot. When I wore shoes it was difficult. To run in shoes was ok, but at the beginning of my career it was hard.

My father thought sport was something fun - he didn't know it was a way to make money.