Derartu Tulu was born in Bokoji, an Ethiopian village. She began to stand out in races organised at her school, and she quickly expanded her focus to a national level.

In 1989, she participated in the World Cross Country Championships in Stavanger (Norway), where she finished 23rd. A few years later, in the 1992 edition held in Amberes, she won the silver medal, becoming the first African woman to win a medal in these championships.

In 1991, she participated in the Tokyo World Championship, her first major competition, where she finished eighth in the 10,000 metres. The following year, she earned her crowning at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games when she won the gold medal in the 10,000 metres, becoming the first Sub-Saharan African woman to win an Olympic gold medal.

A knee injury kept her away from competition until 1995, when she was proclaimed the cross country world champion in Durham, England.

In 2000, she participated in the Sydney Olympic Games, where she earned the god medal while achieving her best personal time and setting a new Olympic record of 30:17:49. The following year, she was the winner of the London Marathon, and then won her first world title in 10,000 metres at the Edmonton World Championship, what was practically the only achievement remaining for her to win.

At the age of 32, without anyone believing in her, she dared to participate in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, where she won a well-deserved bronze medal.

Derartu Tulu is considered to be the pioneer of the current domination of female African runners, especially Ethiopian. She is one of the best long distance runners in history, and she was also the first Sub-Saharan African athlete to achieve major results on an international level.

Sources:

• Wikipedia

• Ethiopian Athletics Legends
   

Additional information:

• Related news at Casa África

• Profile at the International Association of Athletics Federations