Haile
Gebrselassie elected "Modern Day Living Hero"
By a staff reporter of the Ethiopian
Tribune
4 January 2000 - The late Emperor Haile Selassie, who ruled
Ethiopia from 1930 to1974, was elected as his country’s "Legendary
Personality" for abolishing slavery in Ethiopia, for being one of the founding
fathers of the OAU, and for admitting Ethiopia into the League of Nations.
The athlete Haile Gebreselassie, middle distance superstar and multiple world record
holder, was nominated as the "modern day living hero" at a ceremony held last
Tuesday at the Imperial Hotel.
The Millennium Personality elections, which were organised by DSTV, a Southern Africa broadcasting company, were attended by a large crowd who awarded Haile Gebreselassie a standing ovation.
"I am honoured to have been nominated a Personality of the Millennium, " Haile said, adding jokingly "since we still have another seven years before the Ethiopian millennium, I hope to be remembered again".