Gebrselassie achievements and life after sport

Gebrselassie became a household name in 1993 when, at the age of 20, he won the first of four consecutive world championship titles in the 10,000 metres.

He is a double Olympic gold medallist - in Sydney and Atlanta - and won the Berlin marathon four times in succession.

He has broken 61 Ethiopian national records - ranging from 800 metres to the marathon - and set numerous world records including the 5,000m, the fastest 10-mile run, and the longest distance competed in one-hour (13 miles, 397 yards).

Gebrselassie has been just as successful off the track as on it.

Using the winnings from his athletics career, an early business venture involved building the first cinema in Addis Ababa to show locally-made Ethiopian films. Then he dabbled in real estate, before buying land for a coffee plantation.

Coffee is the mainstay of the Ethiopian economy, the country's largest export commodity, and a lucrative business.

"I believe in action, and running is action," said Gebrselassie. "In business you have to plan and wait. But I learn more patience."

"For me a day without training is like a day without eating," is one of Gebrselassie's most famous quotes.

And that discipline and commitment - getting up at 5.30am each day to begin training - is the reason behind his success and why he is respected and admired throughout the world.

Gebrselassie has run marathons in Tokyo and Dubai, New York and Vienna, competed at the top level for more than two decades, and been one of the sport's great ambassadors.

He is a mentor for the G4S 4teen,  a programme supporting 14 young athletes from 13 countries.