You know, I want to help my country. Definitely I can help them, simply by winning races. Sure, they can follow my path to a good career. But for me it is not enough. I want to be more than that. In everything I want to be a role model.

In the marathon a crazy athlete can just keep pushing from the beginning, at a championship you don't need a time just to win the race.

I used to run to school, 10k every day. And this at altitude, perfect preparation, really.

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

I think if you come first with a new world record, that is the best.

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.

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