STORY: Famous Ethiopian athlete speaks highly of China's marathons, plans to return
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 3, 2025
DATELINE: Feb. 4, 2025
LENGTH: 0:01:23
LOCATION: Addis Ababa
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Ethiopian runner Dawit Wolde

STORYLINE:

Ethiopian runner Dawit Wolde was among the 35,000 participants in the 2025 Xiamen Marathon, held on Jan. 5 in the coastal city of Xiamen in China's Fujian Province.

The 33-year-old crossed the finish line in two hours, six minutes and six seconds, improving on the previous course record of 2:06:19 set by Kenya's Moses Cheruiyot Mosop in 2015.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Amharic): DAWIT WOLDE, Ethiopian runner
"I planned to finish first, just to win the race and I did it. I didn't imagine even the second place."

Describing the Xiamen Marathon as a popular international event drawing athletes worldwide, he said the competition is marked by strong rivalry.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Amharic): DAWIT WOLDE, Ethiopian runner
"It was one of the most challenging competitions. I found it to be most adorable. The course of the Xiamen Marathon was not boring. Some competitions are challenging but at the same time boring. As competitors in the Xiamen Marathon, we ran over bridges, near water bodies and enjoyed good-looking scenery, and there was persistent encouragement from people standing along the course."

Having competed in multiple marathons across China, including those in Hong Kong and Xiamen, Wolde said China remains his favorite destination for furthering his career and public profile.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Amharic): DAWIT WOLDE, Ethiopian runner
"I had multiple competition options in which I could participate. Considering my plan to further my career and build my public profile, I want to participate in competitions in Xiamen, in China. Xiamen Marathon is one of the most popular and interesting races."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Addis Ababa.
(XHTV)