My school was six miles away from where I lived on the farm. I had to walk and run, there and back every day, through gorges and over rivers. If I was late, there was a very big stick waiting for me.

When I run in Ethiopia, I look out and see eucalyptus trees and rivers.

When I wake up at 5 in the morning is it just to jog? Definitely not, I give it all of my efforts.

I was the kind of child who worked hard every day with the cows and sheep - I was a very aggressive boy.

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 runners, how they look, how they run. For me to beat the best is what counts.

This hand is not very active always, because it was in this hand that I carried my books. My carrying hand was always my strongest. Now I think my other hand has developed more muscles from signing all those autographs.

Since I achieved something, running has exploded in my country.