Meseret Defar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Meseret Defar

Defar in 2016
Personal information
Nationality	Ethiopian
Born	(1983-11-19) 19 November 1983 (age 41) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Height	155 cm (5 ft 1 in)
Weight	42 kg (93 lb)
Sport
Country	Ethiopia
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	3000 metres, 5000 metres
Medal record Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 2 1 0 World Championships 2 1 2 World Indoor Championships 4 1 1 African Championships 1 3 0 World Junior Championships 2 1 0 World Youth Championships 0 1 0 Total 11 8 3 Olympic Games Gold 2004 Athens 5000 m Gold 2012 London 5000 m Silver 2008 Beijing 5000 m World Championships Gold 2007 Osaka 5000 m Gold 2013 Moscow 5000 m Silver 2005 Helsinki 5000 m Bronze 2009 Berlin 5000 m Bronze 2011 Daegu 5000 m World Indoor Championships Gold 2004 Budapest 3000 m Gold 2006 Moskva 3000 m Gold 2008 Valencia 3000 m Gold 2010 Doha 3000 m Silver 2012 Istanbul 3000 m Silver 2016 Portland 3000 m Bronze 2003 Birmingham 3000 m All-Africa Games Gold 2003 Abuja 5000 m Gold 2007 Algiers 5000 m African Championships Gold 2006 Bambous 5000 m Silver 2000 Algiers 5000 m Silver 2008 Addis Ababa 5000 m Silver 2010 Nairobi 5000 m World Junior Championships Gold 2002 Kingston 3000 m Gold 2002 Kingston 5000 m Silver 2000 Santiago 5000 m World Youth Championships Silver 1999 Bydgoszcz 3000 m

Meseret Defar Tola is a famous runner from Ethiopia. She was born on November 19, 1983. Meseret is known for her amazing skills in long-distance races, especially the 3,000 metres and 5,000 metres events.

She has won many important medals at big international sports events. These include gold medals at the Olympics and World Championships for the 5,000 metres race. Meseret even set new world records in these events.

In 2007, she made history by running two miles in less than 9 minutes. This was a huge achievement in running! Meseret took a break from running in 2014 to start her family.

Meseret Defar's Running Career

Meseret Defar has had a very successful career in athletics. She has won many races and set several records. Her journey shows how much hard work and dedication can pay off.

Olympic Achievements

Meseret Defar has shined brightly at the Olympic Games. She won her first 5,000 metres gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Her winning time was 14 minutes and 45.65 seconds.

She won another gold medal in the 5,000 metres at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she earned a bronze medal. This medal was later changed to a silver medal after another athlete was disqualified.

Setting World Records

Meseret Defar is famous for breaking world records.

• On June 3, 2006, she ran the 5,000 metres in New York City in a record time of 14:24.53.
• She improved this record to 14:16.63 at the Bislett Games in Oslo on June 15, 2007.
• On February 3, 2007, she set an indoor world record for the 3,000 metres in Stuttgart, Germany, with a time of 8:23.72.
• She also set a world best time for the 2 mile race in Carson, California, on May 20, 2007, finishing in 9:10.47.
• On September 14, 2007, she broke her own 2-mile record, running it in 8:58.58. This was a big improvement!
• In 2007, Meseret was named the female IAAF World Athlete of the Year.

World Championships Success

Meseret has also done very well at the World Championships in Athletics.

• She won a silver medal at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki.
• At the 2007 World Championships in Athletics in Osaka, she won a gold medal in the 5,000 metres.
• She won the IAAF World Indoor Championships for the 3000 metres four times in a row, from 2004 to 2010.
• In 2009, she set new indoor world records for the 5000 metres (14:24.37) and the two miles (9:06.26).
• She also ran the 10,000 metres in under 30 minutes, which is a rare achievement for women.

Later Career Highlights

In 2010, Meseret won her fourth straight gold medal in the 3000 metres at the IAAF World Indoor Championships. She also won a silver medal in the 5000 metres at the 2010 African Championships in Athletics. Later that year, she won the 3000 metres gold medal at the 2010 IAAF Continental Cup.

Meseret also started running half marathon races. She won her first half marathon in Philadelphia with a time of 1:07:44. This was one of the fastest debut times ever.

At the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, she won a bronze medal in the 5000 metres. In 2012, she won a silver medal at the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships in the 3000 metres.

In 2013, she won her second world title in the 5000 metres at the 2013 World Championships in Athletics in Moscow. She ran the race smartly, staying near the front and then pulling ahead in the last 200 metres to win.

Meseret Defar's Best Times

Meseret Defar has set many personal best times in her career. These are her fastest times in different races:

Defar at the World Indoor Championships in 2008

Personal Life

Meseret Defar is a Christian and belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. She often shows her religious beliefs. For example, after winning the 5000 metres at the 2012 Olympics, she showed an icon of Mary and Baby Jesus to celebrate.

See also

In Spanish: Meseret Defar para niños

• List of world records in athletics