Derartu Tulu is the first African woman to win an Olympic gold medal

Derartu Tulu isthe first African woman to win an Olympic gold medal after claiming victory over the women's 10,000 metres contest of the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992, clocking 31:06. 

She returned to the Olympic Games in 1996, but finished in fourth place. However, her running career was far from over. At the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, Derartu again contested the 10,000 metres race. Regaining her form of eight years earlier, she took the lead at the bell signaling the final lap and sprinted ahead to a clear victory once more becoming the first woman to win two gold medals in Olympic distance races.   Besides her triumphant run at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, she also won the IAAF World Cross Country Championships title for the third time in the year 2000.  In 2001, she won her world 10,000 metres track title in Edmonton. 

Derartu is also a successful marathon runner.  In 2001, she contested the London marathon and took the gold medal, finishing in 2:23:57.  In the same year she also won the Tokyo International Women’s marathon in 2:25:08.  And in 2009, Derartu joined the New York City marathon and took the crown finishing in 2:28:52.

Derartu was born in 1972 and started running at the age of 16.  In her thriving athletic career so far, she has managed to win 35 gold, 12 silver and 15 bronze medals, and still running.  Derartu has a special place in history and a very special place in the hearts of Ethiopians.  Many will recall her spectacular victory lap at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and her celebration that followed with her body wrapped with a giant Ethiopian flag.  That scene will always remain cherished in the hearts of Ethiopians as an unforgettable display of affection for Ethiopia on the world stage.

source ethiopianstories.com