The 2015 World Championships in Athletics in Beijing concluded with Mare Dibaba securing a gold medal in the marathon. Born on 20 October 1989 in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia, the long-distance runner has competed internationally for over a decade, navigating changes in citizenship and elite racing fields across multiple continents.
Early Career and Citizenship Transitions
Dibaba began her competitive journey at the Ethiopian 20 km championships in 2007, representing Oromia Police and finishing in sixth place. Her international debut occurred at the 2008 Udine Half Marathon, where she clocked 1:10:32. In 2009, she briefly competed for Azerbaijan under the name Mare Ibrahimova. This period included an Azerbaijani record of 1:08:45 at the 2009 Delhi Half Marathon. She eventually returned to compete under the Ethiopian flag after issues regarding her age for junior competitions surfaced.
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In 2010, she produced a 20 km split of 1:03:47 at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, the fastest recorded time by any woman that year. She made her full marathon debut in Rome in March 2010, finishing third in 2:25:38. Subsequent international successes included victories at the Rabat Half Marathon, the Crim 10-Miler, and the News and Sentinel Half Marathon. By 2011, she achieved a personal best of 2:23:25 at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon and secured a gold medal at the All-Africa Games with a record time of 1:10:47.
Olympic and World Championship Performance
Dibaba recorded a significant personal best of 2:19:52 at the 2012 Dubai Marathon. She represented Ethiopia at the 2012 London Olympics, placing 23rd with a time of 2:28:48. Her career continued with a victory at the 2014 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, awarded following the disqualification of Rita Jeptoo. In 2016, she returned to the Olympic stage, earning a bronze medal in the marathon behind Jemima Sumgong and Eunice Kirwa.
Fast facts
- Born: 20 October 1989
- Birthplace: Oromia Region, Ethiopia
- 2015 World Championship result: Gold
- 2016 Olympic result: Bronze
- 2014 Chicago Marathon result: First place
- 2012 Dubai Marathon personal best: 2:19:52
Questions readers ask
Is Mare Dibaba related to Tirunesh Dibaba?
No, she is not related to the Olympic champion and fellow Ethiopian athlete Tirunesh Dibaba.
Did she ever represent another country?
Yes, she briefly transferred to represent Azerbaijan in 2009 under the name Mare Ibrahimova before returning to represent Ethiopia.
