Gebrselassie to enter Ethiopian politics

July 09, 2013 | AAP

Haile Gebrselassie says he will run for a seat in the Ethiopian parliament as an independent candidate in 2015.

Distance running great Haile Gebrselassie says he is entering politics and may run for president of Ethiopia.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist and multiple world champion in the 10,000 metres says he wants to "reach more people" through politics, a topic most Ethiopians avoid in a restrictive society with few civil liberties.

Used to breaking barriers having set over two dozen world records from 5000 metres to the marathon, the 40-year-old Gebrselassie said on Monday that he will run for a seat in parliament as an independent candidate in 2015.

And although the next presidential election in September is probably too soon, Gebrselassie also is considering a future run for that office.

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