From: Samson Negassi (samson_negassi@yahoo.co.uk)
Date: Thu Aug 27 2009 - 18:32:32 EDT
http://www.ethiosun.com/sport/4-ethiopian-athletes-escaped-tyranny-now-seeking-asylum-in-scotland/
According (AP), two runners and two hurdlers from Ethiopia were
reported missing Tuesday after leaving their hotel before a track and
field meet in Scotland.
The
four are Betelhem Shewatatek (women’s 200 meters), Feleke Bekele
(women’s 400 hurdles), Hagos Tadesse (men’s 400) and Tirehas
Haileselassie (men’s hurdles).
Scottish Athletics chief executive Geoff Wightman said his
organization reported their disappearance to the police. The Ethiopians
were to compete Wednesday in the Falkirk Cup, a meet also featuring
England, Ireland and Scotland. The four athletes are not regulars at
major meets. “My colleague actually tried to restrain two of them but
they ran off,” said Dagmawit Amare, who is part of Ethiopia’s team
management in Scotland and has been working with Scottish Athletics.
“This is such a sad thing to happen for my country and the sport.
The 4 athletes are expected to seek political asylum because of
persecution on the account of their ethnic and political affiliations.
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----