Tamirat Tola Abera, born on August 11, 1991, in Oromia, Ethiopia, is an Olympic and world champion long-distance runner, celebrated for his mastery in marathons and track events. Growing up in a region renowned for producing running legends, Tamirat discovered his talent early, competing in local races before joining the Oromiya Police Club under coach Gemedu Dedefo. Inspired by Ethiopian icons like Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele, he transitioned from track to road racing, leveraging Ethiopia’s high-altitude training to build exceptional endurance. His early career was marked by rapid progress, including a course record at the 2013 Lake Hawassa Half Marathon (62:44), signaling his potential as a global contender. Married to elite runner Dera Dida and father to their son Fenan, Tamirat’s family, including his brother Abdisa Tola, also an accomplished runner, fuels his drive to succeed.

Tamirat’s international breakthrough came in 2016, when he won bronze in the 10,000m at the Rio Olympics, clocking 27:06.26 behind Mo Farah. That same year, he earned a team silver at the World Half Marathon Championships, showcasing his cross-country prowess. His marathon career took off with a fast debut at the 2014 Dubai Marathon (2:06:17), followed by a silver medal at the 2017 World Championships in London (2:09:49). In 2022, he claimed the World Championship marathon title in Eugene, Oregon, setting a championship record of 2:05:36 with a blistering 28:27 split between 30K and 40K. This victory, after a long injury recovery, marked him as one of Ethiopia’s finest marathoners.

His crowning achievement came at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where, as a late replacement for injured teammate Sisay Lemma, Tamirat won gold in the men’s marathon, setting an Olympic record of 2:06:26 on a brutally hilly course. This triumph, Ethiopia’s first Olympic marathon gold since 2000, earned him the 2024 World Athletics Out-of-Stadium Athlete of the Year award. He also broke the New York City Marathon course record in 2023 (2:04:58), securing his first Abbott World Marathon Majors title. Tamirat’s ability to perform under pressure, as seen in his decisive move on Paris’s 16% incline at 29km, reflects his tactical brilliance and physical resilience.

Despite setbacks, including a DNF at the 2018 Boston Marathon due to harsh weather and a stomach issue at the 2023 World Championships, Tamirat’s resilience shines through. His third-place finishes at the 2021 Tokyo and 2023 London Marathons demonstrate consistent elite performances. Training in Sendafa with his wife and brother, he remains a key figure in Ethiopia’s running legacy, mentoring young athletes and carrying the nation’s hopes. Tamirat’s ambition to defend his Olympic title and target more marathon majors keeps him at the forefront of global athletics, embodying Ethiopia’s enduring dominance in long-distance running.