Weynay Ghebresilasie

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Weynay Ghebresilasie
Personal information
NationalityEritrean
Born24 March 1994 in
Geza Hamle, Debub, Eritrea
Height182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight62 kg (137 lb)
Sport
Sport Athletics
Eventlong-distance
Club Sunderland Harriers & Athletic Club

Weynay Ghebresilasie (born 24 March 1994 in Gheza Hamle) is an Eritrean born runner, competing for Great Britain as of February 2021, who specialises in the 3000 metres steeplechase. [1] He competed at and was the flagbearer for Eritrea at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Biography

Ghebresilasie competed in that event at the 2012 Londpn Olympics, coming tenth in his heat, and was the flag bearer of the Eritrean team. [2] [3] He also placed sixth at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Athletics that year.

Despite receving the honour of being the flagbearer for Eritrea, subsequent to the Olympics, he sought political asylum in the United Kingdom, citing a repressive regime. [4] He joined Sunderland Harriers & Athletic Club and on 31 January 2021 became eligible to represent Great Britain in international competition. [5] [6]

He finished as the third highest British athlete at the 2025 London Marathon behind Mahamed Mahamed, the latter claimed the British title as a result. [7] [8]

References

  1. ↑ Weynay Ghebresilasie at World Athletics OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  2. ↑ "Olympic Results, Gold Medalists and Official Records". International Olympic Committee. 23 February 2017. Archived from the original on 31 May 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  3. ↑ Staff. "London 2012 Opening Ceremony - Flag Bearers" (PDF). Olympics . Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  4. ↑ Quinn, Ben (14 August 2012). "Eritrea's flag-carrying runner seeks asylum in UK to flee repressive regime". the Guardian. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  5. ↑ Weynay Ghebresilasie: Running for freedom in Sunderland. BBC Sport. Retrieved on 2013-04-07.
  6. ↑ of allegiance - Decision of the World at. World Athletics. Retrieved on 2021-02-21.]
  7. ↑ "AAA, WAAA and National Championships Medallists". National Union of Track Statisticians. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  8. ↑ "AAA Championships (men)". GBR Athletics. Retrieved 20 July 2025.


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