The Inventory: Haile Gebrselassie

Ethiopian long-distance runner Haile Gebrselassie, 37, has set 27 world records and won two Olympic gold medals. He is an ambassador and mentor for the G4S 4teen programme, which is helping 14 young athletes achieve their goal of competing in the 2012 London Olympics.

What was your earliest ambition?

To run as fast as Abebe Bikila and Miruts Yifter. I wanted to run the marathon because of Abebe Bikila. I heard the big successes of Yifter on the radio. I had to listen in secret – my father did not like us to waste time and batteries on such things.

Public school or state school? University or straight into work?

In my schooldays 100 children had to share four books. I only attended primary school.

Who is your mentor?

Jos Hermens. Jos is my manager, friend and feels like family. I try to emulate him when I am with the G4S 4teen athletes to whom I am a mentor. It is important for young athletes to have someone they can look up to, because there are so many places you can go wrong.

How physically fit are you?

I have been training hard for 20 years and have always been at the highest level of fitness.

Ambition or talent: which matters more to success?

Many talented people don’t make it to the top because they don’t have ambition. Discipline is very important, but discipline comes out of ambition.

Have you ever taken an IQ test?

No.

How politically committed are you?

I love Ethiopia and I want the best for it. I have a great interest in politics and I hope to contribute in order to develop a country with better welfare for its people.

Do you consider your carbon footprint?

I do my best.

What would you like to own that you don’t currently possess?

A gold medal in the 2012 Olympic marathon.

Do you have more than one home?

I have one home in Addis Ababa.

What’s your biggest extravagance?

Coming from a country like Ethiopia, some very basic things like running water and electricity are extravagant.

In what place are you happiest?

Ethiopia and Addis Ababa.

What ambitions do you still have?

To win a gold medal in the Olympic marathon and to break my own marathon world record.

What drives you on?

My joy in life and running, and my desire to discover new boundaries. I also enjoy being in a position where I can help other people achieve their dreams, which I am trying to do with the G4S 4teen athletes. Seeing them succeed gives me immense joy.

What is the greatest achievement of your life so far?

My gold medal for the 10,000 metres in the 2000 Olympics and the school I made it possible to build in Bahar Dar.

What has been your greatest disappointment?

I had to drop out of two marathons, London 2007 and New York 2010, because of health problems.

If your 20-year-old self could see you now, what would he think?

“Wow, I had many dreams and I am a lucky man that I could fulfil so many of those dreams.”

If you lost everything tomorrow, what would you do?

Start from the beginning with new goals and challenges.

Do you believe in assisted suicide?

We don’t really have this in Africa – many people here wouldn’t choose to die but they do anyway because of illness, Aids, sanitation issues, and lack of food and water.

Do you believe in an afterlife?

Yes.

If you had to rate your satisfaction with your life so far, out of 10, what would you score?

Nine.

This article is subject to a clarification and has been amended.