Eritrea – (African Boulevard News) –
Tachlowini Gabriyesos, a refugee from Eritrea, participated in the Belgrade Marathon in Serbia last Sunday, representing the United Nations refugee agency team. Gabriyesos, who fled his homeland at the age of 12 by walking through the desert to reach Israel, has become an inspiration to many refugees around the world.
From Refugee to Marathon Runner
Gabriyesos, who is now 25 years old, finished 16th in the marathon at the 2020 Olympics and was the flag-bearer for the Refugee Olympic Team at the Tokyo Games’ opening ceremony. Despite all the challenges he faced as a young refugee, Gabriyesos has become an international athlete and an inspiration to many.
A Message of Hope and Endurance
Gabriyesos finished in the top 10 in just over an hour in the half-marathon race at the Belgrade Marathon. After the race, he spoke to The Associated Press about the challenges that refugees face.
“It is a long journey and a huge challenge,” Gabriyesos said. “It is not easy to leave your family, to leave your mother … but one must never give up.”
Gabriyesos has a message of hope and endurance for all refugees around the world. He wants refugees to know that it is possible to overcome the challenges that come with being a refugee, and that they can achieve their dreams.
A Long and Dangerous Journey
Gabriyesos’ journey from Eritrea to Israel was long and dangerous. He had to travel through Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, and finally Israel, walking for miles and staying in refugee camps along the way. His journey was marked by hardship, but he never gave up.
“We went through the jungle, but this was no longer that scary as it had been when we were very small,” Gabriyesos said. “We had already seen much worse.”
Despite the challenges he faced, Gabriyesos never gave up on his dreams. He always knew that he wanted to be a marathon runner, and he worked hard to achieve his goals.
Running for Refugees
Gabriyesos’ participation in the Belgrade Marathon was also symbolic. Belgrade is the capital of Serbia, a country that serves as a land route for refugees and migrants trying to reach Western Europe.
Many refugees, including those from Eritrea, face perils and challenges along the way. Gabriyesos’ own journey back in 2010 lasted for months and was marked by hardship.
By participating in the Belgrade Marathon, Gabriyesos is sending a message of hope and endurance to all refugees around the world, letting them know that they can overcome the challenges that come with being a refugee.
A Future Full of Dreams and Possibilities
Gabriyesos has come a long way since he fled Eritrea at the age of 12. He is now a successful marathon runner and an inspiration to many refugees around the world.
Although he has achieved so much, Gabriyesos’ dreams and plans for the future are still unfolding. He hopes to receive Israeli citizenship and to compete in the Paris Olympics next year.
“I have many dreams, many plans about the future,” Gabriyesos said. “What I can tell you now is that I would love to have many children.”
Gabriyesos’ journey is a reminder that anything is possible with hard work, determination, and hope. He is proof that refugees can overcome the challenges that come with being a refugee and achieve their dreams.
