Ambasel Pulse of the Ethiopian Blogosphere

Ethiopia - No jail sentence in vehicular death A man who either fell asleep or unconscious got probation and a license suspension, angering the widow. By Maya Rao Inquirer Staff Writer

Abraha Rutty, a 23-year-old Ethiopian Orthodox Church deacon, was facing three years in a New Jersey state prison after entering into a plea deal in May for killing a moped rider while allegedly asleep behind the wheel.

The soft-spoken Newark, N.J., man bowed and clasped his hands as his parents, his minister and others invoked the name of God and pleas for mercy while they testified to Rutty's depth of character and compassion in Gloucester County Superior Court yesterday.

Rutty struck down Edward R. Hoffman, 51, of Clayton, last July with his Honda. Out of religious observance, Rutty had been fasting for more than a day, and was exhausted after staying up most of the night before to get his passport in Philadelphia for a missionary trip to Ethiopia.

"I'm asking, truly asking as a mother, to look at us, all of our children, and say it could happen to any of us," his tearful mother, Janet Rutty, told the judge. More from Philadelphia Inquirer

Ethiopia- Abebe Bikila: an athlete par excellence V. V. Subrahmanyam Source: The Hindu

In 13 editions since its debut in Olympics, Ethiopia has scripted some of the most famous feats in track events — winning 14 gold, five silver and 12 bronze medals. But, not many of its athletes can match the aura and greatness of Abebe Bikila — the first black African athlete to win an Olympic gold medal (1960 Rome Games) and the first athlete to win the Olympic marathon gold twice.

It was a unique marathon in Rome — neither did it start nor finish in the main Olympic Stadium. And, the later part of the event was run in the dark, the route lit by the Roman soldiers holding torches. Inspirational sight enough for this Ethiopian to conquer Rome!

A legend

Born to a shepherd, Abebe Bikila was a legend in his own way.

When he could not find shoes which fit comfortably, Bikila decided to run the marathon barefoot, exactly the way he trained. A decision which stunned the fellow competitors but did not affect his grit and determination.

And, the rest is history. Bikila and his nearest challenger Rhadi had created a gap from the rest of the pack.

They stayed together until the last 500m when the Ethiopian changed gears to set a World record time of 2:15:16.2.

“I wanted the world to know that my country, Ethiopia, has always won with determination and heroism,” was his reply to a query on why he ran barefoot.

Four years later, Bikila chased history, literally. Despite operated upon for appendicitis 40 days before the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he started training in the hospital courtyard itself.

Same strategy

He competed this time wearing Asics shoes. Repeating the same strategy as in Rome, he stayed with the leaders until the 20 km point ... Tags: Uncategorized | Read on