Abdi Nageeye (© Dan Vernon)
Abdi Nageeye is the embodiment of the Olympic spirit: a melting pot of nations, bringing out the best in athletes.
Born in Somalia, he fled to the Netherlands as a child, briefly lived in Ethiopia, was adopted by a Dutch family and is currently based in Kenya, now a father himself.
On his journey to Olympic success, all of these influences have had an impact on his life. He is looking to add more experiences and successes to an already impressive resume that includes Olympic marathon silver secured behind winner Eliud Kipchoge and ahead of bronze medallist Bashir Abdi in Tokyo.
Welcoming World Athletics Inside Track to a training session in Eldoret, Nageeye reflects on his path so far.
“I had so many experiences, even before running; you can even make a movie of it. That’s life experience and even if some of them were low, I take it as a moment of learning,” he says.
“I joined so many different teams, so many great coaches and with all the athletes who were there. So, I got all these learning moments, the way they approach the sport, and everyone has their own way to deal with the sport.
“I was like a student and now I’m using it as a top athlete.
“I think all these countries I went to, this nomad life, it shaped me and made me who I am,” he adds. “Now I’m in Iten training and I see so many different nationalities. It doesn’t matter if you are from Italy, Kenya, South Africa or Brazil – we are all preparing for this big game.
“The marathon is not easy. It’s hard. We all understand the struggle of it somehow and then we forget the nationality and more focus on this beautiful event.”
