Haile Gebreselassie gets honorary doctorate degree

Elshadai Negash | May 4, 2008

Ethiopian distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie has received an honorary doctorate degree from Leeds Metropolitan University for his outstanding contribution to the sport.

At an awards ceremony held at the Addis Ababa stadium in front of a packed capacity crowd of 35,000, Gebrselassie received the honorary doctorate degree from Professor Simon Lee, Vice Chancellor of the University.

Gebrselassie and student ambassadors of the University then did a lap of honour around the track to rapturous cheers of the crowd who chanted ‘Haile! Haile!’ to honour arguably the best long distance runner in the history of athletics.

“I would like to thank Leeds for this award,” said a delighted Gebrselassie. “I hope this award by thousands and inspire thousands of people around the world.”

"Haile is just not only an athlete, but an ambassador for Africa," said Malcolm Brown, Director of Sport at the University.

Gebrselassie is a two-time Olympic 10000m and four-time world 10000m champion and has smashed 24 records in a long and illustrious career.

Carnegie is the sports faculty of the Leeds Metropolitan University. They are a prestigous sponsor of the 16th CAA African Athletics Championships.

Source: Addis2008.org