Time To Rebuild Ethiopian Athletics From The Roots

Ethiopia entered the recently concluded 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo carrying the weight of history. For decades, the country has stood as a global powerhouse in long-distance running, producing legends that have inspired generations. Yet, as the championships concluded, the results were sobering: Ethiopia failed to win a single gold medal for the first time since 1991, finishing a distant 22nd on the medal table. This is more than just an unfortunate statistical blip. It is a wake-up call, a stark warning that the systems and structures which once guaranteed success are faltering. If the country is to regain its place among the elite, it must confront the root causes of this decline and embrace a comprehensive overhaul of its athletics ecosystem.

The showing in Tokyo was undeniably poor. While Ethiopian athletes managed to secure a handful of silver and bronze medals, the absence of a gold medal cast a long shadow. This was compounded by the absence of key athletes due to injuries and doping suspensions. Those who did compete often appeared tactically outclassed, struggling to respond to late surges from rivals or to maintain pace in the decisive final laps. Ethiopia’s once-fearsome dominance in the distance events now faces a new reality: other nations have not only caught up but, in many cases, surpassed it.

The reasons for this decline are complex and go beyond a single bad competition. The pipeline for identifying and nurturing young talent has grown unreliable, with inconsistencies in youth development programs and a lack of emphasis on long-term athlete progression. Many regional clubs and schools are more focused on immediate results than building sustainable careers for their athletes. Exacerbating the problem is the state of coaching. While Ethiopia boasts dedicated coaches, the overall system has struggled to keep pace with advances in global sports science, strength and conditioning, and nutrition. These gaps become glaring when Ethiopian runners face competitors who are supported by teams of physiologists, dieticians, and data analysts.

Support systems for athletes are also inadequate. Many do not have consistent access to physiotherapy, recovery facilities, or psychological coaching. Injuries are often mismanaged, and athletes lack the resources to rehabilitate effectively, which leads to shortened careers or underperformance. The Ethiopian Athletics Federation has often faced criticism for inconsistent selection criteria, lack of transparency, and insufficient investment in athlete welfare. The politicization of decision-making and weak oversight has further eroded trust in the system. Increasing doping cases are beginning to tarnish the country’s reputation, creating an environment of suspicion and uncertainty.

Another critical factor is the lack of exposure to competitive environments that replicate the pressures of world championships. Many Ethiopian athletes spend most of their careers running road races or domestic meets, which do not always prepare them for the tactical demands of major competitions involving heats, semifinals, and finals. Rivals such as Kenya have invested heavily in giving their athletes international exposure, sharpening their tactical intelligence and mental resilience. Ethiopia’s relatively limited investment in this area shows in the decisive moments of major races, where tactical awareness often makes the difference between gold and defeat.

Financial and infrastructural challenges add to the difficulty. Elite athletics is no longer a pursuit that can succeed on raw talent and altitude advantage alone. Modern success requires sustained investment in training camps, equipment, nutrition, sports medicine, and international competition opportunities. Funding shortages and sometimes misallocation of resources hinder the preparation and performance of athletes, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds who rely entirely on the federation for support.

Reversing this trajectory will require bold action. The relevant government agencies in conjunction with the national and regional athletics federations must revitalize talent development pipeline by establishing a well-resourced national program that identifies and nurtures promising athletes from a young age. Coaching must be modernized through training programs that incorporate sports science and international best practices, while medical and rehabilitation services should be expanded to ensure athletes remain healthy and competitive. Participation in international competitions must be increased to give athletes exposure to world-class competition and to sharpen their tactical abilities.

Just as crucially, the Ethiopian Athletics Federation must be reformed to ensure transparency, meritocracy, and accountability in every aspect of its work—from selection criteria to funding allocation and anti-doping compliance. Restoring trust between athletes and administrators is essential to building a cohesive national program. At the same time, the country must secure sustainable funding through a combination of government support, corporate sponsorships, and engagement with the diaspora community. Investments should prioritize long-term capacity building rather than quick fixes aimed at securing short-term medals.

Finally, Ethiopia should embrace data-driven approaches to athlete development and selection, using performance metrics to guide decisions rather than relying solely on subjective judgment. Athletes should receive better psychological support, incentives for consistent performance, and career planning resources to ensure their long-term well-being. These systemic changes, hopefully, will enable Ethiopia to rebuild the foundations of its athletics program and set the stage for a return to global prominence.

The disappointment of Tokyo should not be seen as the end of Ethiopia’s athletics story but as a crucial turning point. The nation still possesses the raw talent, the altitude advantage, and the proud tradition that have made it a force in long-distance running. What is required now is the courage to reform, the discipline to invest wisely, and the vision to build a modern athletics system capable of sustaining excellence. If Ethiopia seizes this moment, the next generation of athletes will be inspired to compete with pride and once again bring home gold medals, restoring the nation’s place at the summit of world athletics.