Feyisa Lelisa runs in exile after his protest in Rio – Houston Chronicle
Olympics medalist marathoner Feyisa Lelisa lowers his head after being asked about his home country Ethiopia after the Chevron Houston Marathon press conference at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Friday, Jan. 13, 2017, in Houston. ( Marie D. De Jesus / Houston Chronicle )
(Houston Chronicle) — He’s the loneliest of long-distance runners, a man far removed from his country and his family. These days, Feyisa Lelisa runs not for personal glory but for emotional therapy and for a purpose that he believes to be far bigger than himself. Lelisa works his legs both to remember and to forget and also, most important, to remind non-Ethiopians what they need to be thinking about when they see him churning by on the open road.
A rare opportunity with the marathoner who risked his life, that of his family and his career to expose the brutal regime at the 2016 Rio Olympics. A man who not only uses his legs to run marathons but his head, heart and talent to speak for the millions of Oromos – the most persecuted people in Ethiopia. . Baga keenya taate, baga wolgarres Fayyee koo – Goota haati deesse! Via Ebba Abbamurti
