By Chris Chavez
October 13, 2023
Former 5000m and 10,000m world record holder Kenenisa Bekele has signed a new professional contract with Chinese sports brand ANTA. Bekele was previously one of the inaugural members of the NN Running Team and represented Nike for more than two decades.
Here’s what you need to know:
– Bekele is considered one of the greatest distance runners of all time. He is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and a 17-time world champion in cross country and track. He won the 2016 and 2019 Berlin Marathon. His 2:01:41 marathon personal best makes him the third-fastest marathoner in history.
– Bekele may be trying to make his fourth Olympics in 2024. He represented Ethiopia at the Summer Games in 2004 (10,000m gold and 5000m silver); 2008 (5000m and 10,000m gold) and 2012 (4th place in the 10,000m). He would be 42 years old, if he is named to the Ethiopian national team.
Kenenisa Bekele
What is ANTA?
– Most people may know of ANTA after they signed Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving this summer. Irving also left Nike after 12 years with the company, despite having his own signature sneaker.
– ANTA is expected to make a bigger push into running and plans to sign more pro runners out of East Africa.
– The brand shared the Bekele signing on social media with the caption: “We’re taking long-distance running to new heights with Kenenisa Bekele! In our partnership we’re looking forward to optimizing the Kenenisa Resort and Sport Center and provide elite athletes with better training services and guarantees.”
What’s next for Bekele?
Bekele has not completed a marathon since last October’s fifth place finish at the London Marathon in 2:05:53. He dropped out of April’s London Marathon. He was not part of the elite field announced for the 2023 New York City Marathon but could run December’s Valencia Marathon for an opportunity to chase a fast time that would strengthen his case for Ethiopian selectors.
Chris Chavez
Chris Chavez launched CITIUS MAG in 2016 as a passion project while working full-time for Sports Illustrated. He covered the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and grew his humble blog into a multi-pronged media company. He completed all six World Marathon Majors and is an aspiring sub-five-minute miler.
