Redae Gebreyesus had the potential to represent Ethiopia at the Paris Olympics, but his life was tragically cut short due to the Ethiopia’s civil war that erupted in late 2020. The promising middle-distance runner was killed shortly after the conflict in Tigray began in November of that year.
Tigray, the northernmost region of Ethiopia, has long been a crucial contributor to the country’s athletic success, with a significant portion of Ethiopia’s track team currently competing in Paris hailing from this region.
Gebreyesus’s coach, Getye Mekuria, emphasized that Gebreyesus not only had the talent to be part of this elite group but could have also been a potential medalist. Mekuria told media Tigrinya, “There’s no doubt that Redae would have been selected and could have won medals. He had the potential to surpass other athletes. His death feels like Ethiopia has lost a critical asset.”
The fighting eventually ceased when the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front reached a peace agreement mediated by the African Union in November 2022. Despite this, a study by Ghent University estimates that up to 600,000 lives were lost due to the conflict, with over two million displaced and nearly 900,000 fleeing as refugees.
In Edaga Arbi, a town about 25 kilometers from the Eritrean border, Gebreyesus’s mother, Hadera Seyum, continues to grieve the loss of her son. She reflects, “I lost everything. However, I still have his children. If he had no children, I would feel like I have nothing left.”
Hadera Seyum’s grief is a poignant reminder of the broader human cost of the conflict. Despite the resolution of hostilities, the scars of the war continue to impact many lives. The loss of her son and the subsequent hardships faced by countless others reflect the deep and enduring effects of the conflict on Ethiopian society.
The Ethiopian athletic community, too, feels the void left by Gebreyesus. His absence is not only a personal loss to those who knew him but also a significant setback for a region renowned for producing exceptional athletes. The potential he held for contributing to Ethiopia’s sporting achievements remains a stark “what could have been.”
As the nation rebuilds and moves forward from the devastation, Gebreyesus’s legacy serves as a powerful symbol of both the promise of its youth and the tragedy of lost opportunities. His story, and those of others like him, underscores the need for continued peace and stability in the region to prevent further loss and to ensure that future generations have the chance to realize their full potential.
