Miruts Yifter

Suleiman Nyambui ( 649 ), Miruts Yifter (191) Kaarlo Maaninka (208 )

Miruts Yifter (also: Muruse Yefter; * unsure: May 15, 1944 in Adigrat, Tigray Province ) is a retired Ethiopian long-distance runner and Olympic champion.

Yifter worked in his youth at various companies as a van driver. His talent as a long-distance runner was discovered when he completed his tour of duty in the Ethiopian Air Force. At the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972 was Yifter third in the 10,000 meters, however, appeared too late for the final of the 5000 -meter race, according to his information due to an oversight of his coaches. In 1973 he won at the Pan-African Games gold in the 5000m and silver in the 10,000 m. The boycott of Ethiopia, the other African states joined, prevented his participation in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. In 1979 he was African champion in the 5000m and 10,000 m.

At the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980, he took over the 10,000 - meter race with one of his characteristic pace aggravations who had the nickname " Yifter the Shifter " introduced him approximately 300 meters before the finish the lead and won by several seconds ahead. Five days later, in the final of the 5000-meter run, Yifter was circled on the last lap. But 300 meters before the finish made ​​his compatriot Mohamed Kedir for him place, and Yifter sprinted to victory.

One of the biggest secrets at the Games in Moscow was his age, were circulating about the estimated 33-42 years. Yifter even refused an exact answer and said to reporters:

"Men can I steal my chickens, my men can steal my sheep. But no man can steal my age. "

In the 1990s Miruts Yifter moved to Canada, where he worked as an athletics coach.