Ethiopia’s
Millennium Spirit Rises High:The Edmonton 2001 Case
by
Asghedom G. Michael, Edmonton, Canada
Background
Ethiopia,
one of the ancient nation states of the world, possesses glorious wealth
of history and heritage of mystic proportions. Being a mother of millions
of world-class heroes and heroines, her recorded history tells it all that
Ethiopia humiliated her enemies who ventured to violet her sovereignty
and territorial integrity. Those enemies from near and those from afar
continents of Europe and other places had to suffer the same fate of humiliation
in the hands of Ethiopian patriots.
This
historic fact has been demonstrated recently in many ways. Reviewing achievements
made against all odds during a very short period (1999 - 2001) reveals
clearly that this Millennium promises to be one of glory and prosperity
for Ethiopia. In a span of less than a 3-year period, Ethiopians have registered
achievements that have global implications in the areas of national sovereignty
and integrity as well as in international sports. The stunning and lightening
victories over Eritrea’s army of aggression and the unprecedented victories
of Ethiopia’s athletes at the Sydney Olympics and at the Edmonton 2001
International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championships are
some examples of the major achievements of Ethiopians at the global scale.
No doubt, these victories enhance the deeply rooted nationalism and patriotism
of every Ethiopian.
While
composing on a similar theme (similar to that of this piece), after the
Sydney Olympics, one of Ethiopia’s prolific writers, Lulit G. Michael,
argued eloquently as follows:
The
original intent and design of God was not hunger or famine. It was not
drought or war. It was government. Take dominion of all creation. Govern
and rule. It was not to die or starve or to beg the World Bank or IMF for
food or money. An emphatic No! Never! ……. Ethiopia shall rise. Ethiopian
sons and daughters shall work and save their nation from hunger and famine.
Not only that, Ethiopia will stretch her hands forth in abundant giving
as has never been given before. In a magnitude that will surpass the giving
that went from the land of Ethiopia to Israel in the time of Sheba and
King Solomon. The Bible records this gift as superlative and as has never
been surpassed by any other such giving (emphasis mine).
(Lulit G. Michael, Edition-In-Chief of The Daily Monitor, Walta Information
Center Web site, Oct. 03, 2000)
Lulit
wrote this rebuttal in response to an uncalled for statement of an Australian
Master of Ceremony (MC) who introduced our athletes to the opening ceremonies
of the Sydney Olympics by uttering a trash, “… from a country known for
famine and drought…”
Where
was the Ethiopian Ambassador to Australia, when Ethiopia was being snarled
at?If that insult was against any
other country, I am very sure that the MC would have been asked to retract
the statement and to ask for an apology. Depending on the strength (the
tone) of the protest from the Ethiopian Embassy, his bosses would have
also reprimanded him. Cynically accepting a national insult and humility
of own compatriots at a
global arena can only be attributed to the
combined effects of diplomatic timidity, ignorance of international law
and civil relationships among nations, and most importantly lack of true
nationalism.
No any other justification for a simple Australian MC to get away after
demeaning Ethiopia and Ethiopians.
In
any case, to illustrate the national benefits that can be derived from
unity, true democracy, justice, and collective decision-making process,
this piece focuses on the victories of the Ethiopian athletes at the IAAF
World Championships that took place in Edmonton from August 3 to 12, 2001.
First, however, the organizational effectiveness of the Ethiopian Community
Association in Edmonton (ECAE) and the contributions it made to the victories
of our athletes are highlighted. Notice, in order to send a clear message,
the ECAE and the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) are being used as
models of effective and efficient institutional arrangements, in their
respective present forms of organizational behavior and structure.
United We Win, Divided We Stand to Lose
Here,
the unity of purpose, the enthusiasm, and the sacrifices of all members
of the ECAE ought to be told. As the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
(CBC) appropriately reported it in its television documentary, there is
a vibrant, well-organized Ethiopian community in Edmonton. Thanks to the
leadership prowess of the executive body and the advices and exemplary
sacrifices of the elder members of the Community, the total organizational
behavior of ECAE reflects the traditional culture, which embodies the
beliefs, the values, and the norms that make Ethiopians proud. Recent accomplishments
of the Community attest to that Ethiopian cultural pride. A few of the
establishments that symbolize the importance of Ethiopian unity include:
(a) a recently purchased complex to serve as an Ethiopian Community Center
(ECC), (b) a brand new building of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, a beautiful,
modern building, built at the center of the City of Edmonton, and (c) a
weekly radio broadcast, covering cultural events, personal announcements,
and current affairs, particularly news on developments in Ethiopia. All
these establishments provide tremendous services to the Community and thereby
enhance Ethiopian unity and nationalism. In addition, ECAE fulfilled
its national obligations in many ways. For example, it made significant
financial contributions to help our compatriots affected by Sha’ebia’s
war of aggression, drought, and HIV/AIDS.
At
the Edmonton 2001 IAAF World Championships, ECAE made tremendous contributions
to the successes of our athletes. On arrival, the athletes were welcomed
at the Edmonton International Airport by more than one hundred Ethiopians.
Children and adults waved the Ethiopian flag; women, who displayed the
true Ethiopian grace and beauty in our traditional dress, ululated thunderously
when the athletes appeared through the arrival gate; and young girls presented
flowers to each athlete.
During
the competitions, many members of the Community made sure that they be
at the Commonwealth Stadium, where the competitions took place, to support
the athletes. Then, there was a huge, send-off party, which was a night
of vividly expressed patriotism, joy, harmony, and unity. The speeches
from the representatives of the host-committee and the responses from the
team leaders and the athletes themselves, particularly Derartu and Haile,
were truly inspirational. The food was so delicious. The music entertainment
of the live band was uplifting. Those of us who left our Motherland for
so long had to sweat it out, dancing, dancing, and dancing to the tunes
of anyone of the many Ethiopian languages.
In
short, we have a small, but a very effective and vibrant Ethiopian community
in Edmonton, thanks to those farsighted and selfless leaders. Their efforts
are practical manifestations of the common trust in unity: united we
win, divided we stand to lose!
Clinical Victories
Yes,
the successes of our athletes at the Edmonton 2001 IAAF World Championships
can only be described as
clinical victories. No doubt, smart people
collectively developed the strategies: the coaches, the athletes, the medical
specialists, the nutritionists, the management staff, and others, who constitute
the EAF, made it all to happen through meticulous planning and hard work.
Thus, everyone can claim a share in the rewards of the total victory. Just
a few highlights of the victories are in order:
Over
200 countries and more than 2000 of the best track and field athletes in
the world competed in 46 events. According to the Organizing Committee’s
statement, the fastest, the strongest, and the most skilled athletes participated.
The global TV audience was estimated to be four billion. Friday August
3, 2001 was the day of the Opening Ceremonies on a grand scale, filled
with spectacle, pageantry, and colorful dance. This was the day of the
Men’s Marathon. This was the day Gezehagn Abera glorified Ethiopia. It
was the first day. Ethiopia had the first say. It was a gold medal that
matters most, gold medal of Marathon. Yes, Marathon, the mother of all
athletics.” Please rise for the Ethiopian
national anthem”, announced the Master of Ceremony. More than
30,000 spectators, including the Prime Minister of Canada, stood up. Then,
it was the Ethiopian national anthem the world heard first, heralding victory,
and most of all peace and friendship among nations. It was the Ethiopian
flag that the world saw first being hoisted above others: Ethiopia’s
spirit rose above them all!Those
of us who were at the Commonwealth Stadium were emotionally touched. Many
wept and tried to follow the tune of the national anthem. If this type
of spectacle of true patriotism does not bring national pride, what else?
The
Marathon victory of Gezehagn Abera was followed by another stunning victory
of three Ethiopian heroines: Derartu, Gete, and Berhane, who dominated
all challengers by taking the positions of first, second, and third in
the 10,000 meters event. It was a clean-sweep victory that added
to the previous Ethiopians glory. Duncan Mackay, writing for the IAAF World
Championships said it all, “If Drartu Tulu wasn’t already the greatest
runner in history, then surely she can lay claim to the title after her
stunning victory in the 10,000 meters at the IAAF World Championships”.
Next came the success of the world-renowned runner, Haile Gebreselassie
and his team.
Our
athletes made us so proud. We owe them so much that cannot be paid in kind.
Our ultimate gratitude must go to EAF. Although it functions under a variety
of constraints, EAF has demonstrated to the world in general and to us,
Ethiopians, in particular that it is effective and efficient institution
that continues to defy all odds. Through shear nationalistic determination
of the leaders, this institution continues to create conducive
environment for our athletes, Ethiopia’s ambassadors, to realize their
potential and aspirations. A gratitude expressed only by saying, “Thank
you!” does not go far to express internal feelings. But, that is the only
way we have for now.
Finally,
let Ethiopia’s spirit of the Millennium continue to rise to the apex of
development and prosperity. This is a heartfelt wish of all Ethiopians
that can only be realized in a national atmosphere of peace, unity,
democracy, and justice. Let us all hope and pray for that atmosphere
to reign in the Motherland. Then, as Lulit put it, “Ethiopia will stretch
her hands forth in abundant giving as has never been given before.”
Asghedom
September
2001
Edmonton