Miruts Yifter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Miruts Yifter

Yifter (#191), Nyambui (#649), and Maaninka (#208) at the 1980 Summer Olympics
Personal information
Nationality	Ethiopian
Born	(1944-05-15)15 May 1944 Adigrat, Ethiopia
Died	22 December 2016(2016-12-22) (aged 72) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sport
Sport	Track
Event(s)	5000 m, 10,000 m
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	5000 m: 13:13.82 10,000 m: 27:40.96
Medal record Men's athletics Representing  Ethiopia Olympic Games Gold 1980 Moscow 5000 metres Gold 1980 Moscow 10,000 metres Bronze 1972 Munich 10,000 metres All-Africa Games Gold 1973 Lagos 10,000 metres Silver 1973 Lagos 5000 metres Representing Africa IAAF World Cup Gold 1977 Düsseldorf 5000 metres Gold 1977 Düsseldorf 10,000 metres Gold 1979 Montreal 5000 metres Gold 1979 Montreal 10,000 metres

Miruts Yifter (whose name is sometimes spelled Muruse Yefter) was a very famous Ethiopian long-distance runner. He was born in Tigray and became known as "Yifter the Shifter" because of his amazing speed. He won two gold medals at the 1980 Summer Olympics. While his birth date is often listed as May 15, 1944, there was some mystery about his exact age.

Early Life and Discovering His Talent

Miruts Yifter was born in Adigrat, a town in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. When he was young, he worked in different factories. He also drove a carriage. His talent for running long distances was noticed when he joined the Ethiopian Air Force. This is where his journey as a runner truly began.

Miruts Yifter's Running Career

Yifter was chosen to join the Ethiopian national team for the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. However, he made his first Olympic appearance four years later. This was at the Munich Olympics. There, he won a bronze medal in the 10,000 metres race. Sadly, he arrived too late to compete in the 5000 metres final.

Success at African Competitions

Miruts Yifter continued to show his strength in running. At the 1973 All-Africa Games, he won a gold medal in the 10,000 m race. He also earned a silver medal in the 5000 m event. Later, at the first African Championships in 1979, he won two more gold medals. These were for both the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres races.

Olympic Glory in Moscow

Yifter could not compete in the 1976 Summer Olympics. This was because his country decided not to participate in the event. But four years later, at the Moscow Olympics, Yifter made up for it. He won gold medals in both the 10,000 m and 5000 m races.

In the 10,000 m final, he took the lead with 300 metres left. He sprinted ahead and won by ten metres. Five days later, in the 5000 m final, Yifter was stuck behind other runners. But with 300 metres to go, his Ethiopian teammate, Mohamed Kedir, moved aside. This allowed Yifter to sprint to victory again. Because of his sudden bursts of speed at the end of races, he earned the nickname "Yifter the Shifter."

World Best and Age Mystery

On February 6, 1977, in Coamo, Puerto Rico, Yifter set a World Best time for the half-marathon. His time was 1 hour, 2 minutes, and 57 seconds.

At the Moscow Olympics, many people wondered about Yifter's age. Reports said he could be anywhere from 33 to 42 years old. Yifter never gave a clear answer. He famously told reporters: "Men may steal my chickens; men may steal my sheep. But no man can steal my age." The most common birth dates given for him are January 1, 1938, or May 15, 1944.

Yifter kept competing into the early 1980s. He was part of Ethiopia's team that won gold medals at the 1982 and 1983 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

Later Life and Passing

Yifter's grave in the Holy Trinity Cathedral cemetery

Miruts Yifter passed away on December 22, 2016, at the age of 72. He died in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he had lived since the year 2000. His family said he had been suffering from breathing problems.

He was buried in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His grave is in the cemetery of the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

International Competitions

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing  Ethiopia
1979	African Championships	Dakar, Senegal	1st	5000 m	14:14.0
			1st	10,000 m	29:08.0

See also

In Spanish: Miruts Yifter para niños