It’s nice to see the new African Athletics Hall of Fame officially open in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  Africa has produced so many great athletes, and now they will truly be honored and remembered for their world records, world titles and Olympic gold medals.

At the African Hall of Fame gala, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Africa’s Hall of Fame athletes had almost single-handedly held the banner of Africa high.  He said the Hall of Fame was belated recognition for their achievements.

Among those inducted was Ethiopian star Haile Gebrselassie, a two-time Olympic champion and the current world record holder at the marathon distance.  It seems only fitting that a film was shown during the Hall of Fame festivities of the late Abebe Bikila, another Ethiopian Olympic champion who was one of Haile’s heroes.

The heroic accomplishments of Abebe Bikila helped inspired Haile Gebrselassie and other African stars on many training runs and in actual international competitions.  I believe the new African Athletics Hall of Fame will serve much the same purpose, inspiring African youth to try and follow in their footsteps, and, in the process, lift themselves and the African continent to new heights.