The Tigray region’s civil war erupted when forces aligned with the ruling party in the area took control of a military base, prompting a swift response from the Ethiopian army.
In the wake of this devastating conflict, the toll on Ethiopia’s sporting community has been heartbreaking. The war, which began in November 2020 and lasted for two years, resulted in the loss of 76 athletes, as revealed by Kidane Teklehaimanot, the president of the Tigray Athletics Federation, in an interview with the BBC.
“These were not just numbers; they were the future of our nation,” Teklehaimanot lamented. “Among the victims were 76 athletes who had represented Ethiopia on the global stage, along with two coaches and two officials.”
The casualties of this conflict were not limited to the sports world. The war led to widespread famine-like conditions and a staggering loss of life, finally coming to an end in November of the previous year when the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front signed a peace deal, brokered by the African Union.
Teklehaimanot emphasized that many of the athletes lost in this tragedy were promising young talents who had been actively competing at regional, national, and international levels. Their deaths, largely at the hands of soldiers, were a tragic blow to Ethiopia’s sports community.
“It’s possible that some of these athletes had no choice but to join the armed resistance after experiencing the devastating effects of the war on Tigray,” Teklehaimanot noted. “If you examine the athletes who currently represent Ethiopia in international competitions, you’ll find that most of them had left Tigray before the conflict escalated. Tigray once boasted a wealth of talented athletes, but we’ve lost those with the greatest potential.”
The impact of the conflict extended beyond the loss of lives. Teklehaimanot estimated that more than 30 million birr (£427,600) worth of damage was inflicted on an athletics center in Maichew, a town in Tigray.
“Almost all of Tigray’s sporting facilities have been obliterated at an institutional level,” he observed. “The heavy weaponry used in the conflict has left our sports infrastructure in ruins.”
Despite the grim circumstances, some Tigrayan athletes continue to represent Ethiopia on the global stage, including reigning 10,000m world champion Gudaf Tsegay, her predecessor Letesenbet Gidey, last year’s marathon world champion Gotytom Gebreslase, 2023 World Road Running Championships 5k winner Hagos Gebrhiwet, and 5k road race world record holder Berihu Aregawi.
While peace may have been declared, the situation remains dire in Tigray. The scars of war, including the profound loss of promising athletes, serve as a stark reminder of the toll that conflict can take on a nation’s sports community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tigray Conflict Athletes
What was the cause of the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia?
The Tigray conflict in Ethiopia was sparked when forces loyal to the ruling party in the Tigray region seized a military barracks, leading to a military response from the Ethiopian government.
How many athletes lost their lives in the Tigray conflict?
A total of 76 athletes, along with two coaches and two officials, tragically lost their lives during the Tigray conflict, according to Kidane Teklehaimanot, the president of the Tigray Athletics Federation.
What kind of athletes were among the casualties?
The athletes who perished in the conflict were promising young talents who had been actively participating in regional, national, and international competitions, representing Ethiopia’s future in sports.
How did the conflict impact sports facilities in Tigray?
The conflict caused extensive damage to sports facilities in Tigray, with estimates of more than 30 million birr (£427,600) worth of damage inflicted on an athletics center in the town of Maichew. Almost all of Tigray’s sporting infrastructure suffered severe destruction.
Are there Tigrayan athletes still representing Ethiopia on the global stage?
Yes, despite the tragic loss of many athletes, some Tigrayan athletes, such as Gudaf Tsegay, Letesenbet Gidey, Gotytom Gebreslase, Hagos Gebrhiwet, and Berihu Aregawi, continue to represent Ethiopia in international competitions.
Has the conflict in Tigray been resolved?
The Tigray conflict ended in November of the previous year after the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front signed a peace deal brokered by the African Union. However, the situation in Tigray remains dire despite the peace agreement.
More about Tigray Conflict Athletes
- Ethiopia’s Tigray war claims the lives of 76 athletes (BBC News)
- Tigray Athletics Federation president’s interview (BBC News)
- Ethiopia’s Tigray war and how it erupted (BBC News)
- Tigray Conflict Impact on Sports Facilities (BBC News)
- Ethiopian athletes representing Tigray (BBC News)
- Tigray Conflict Peace Deal (BBC News)
