Medal hopefuls ‘imported’
Three young long-distance runners from Ethiopia brought to Israel; five more on their way
Indeed, the first three Falash Muras Olympic medal hopefuls have now arrived in Israel, with more expected to follow. TheFalash Mura say they are Jews who had been forced to convert but never abandoned their Jewish faith.
The idea behind the move is to find young Ethiopians eligible for immigration to Israel who demonstrate athletic potential, this in a country that has produced hundreds of successful long-distance runners.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's announcement that 20,000 Falash Mura would be able to immigrate to Israel accelerated the process on condition medal hopefuls are able to prove they are of Jewish descendant.
The first three landed over the weekend and five others are scheduled to arrive in the near future.
"They look great, very disciplined and polite," professional manager for the athletics youth center in Netanya Arkadi Sklar said.
'Unbelievable self-discipline'
Iliak Biadglin, Makori Asfah Tarfah and Malkmo Balata are the first three Falash Mura athletes to arrive in Israel and together with their families are currently staying at the Ashkelon absorption center.
While the families future may seem uncertain - they earned their living by dairy and crop farming in Ethiopia - they are just happy to be in Israel with their children.
Counselor and translator at the Ashkelon absorption center Tamir Alma says the youngsters possess unbelievable self-discipline.
"They are very serious and talented. You can see how much they want to invest," he says.
Soon the athletes and their parents are set to begin their Hebrew studies and will then undergo a conversion to Judaism according to Jewish law.
Not only tradition
"Because of our age no Ethiopian union would accept us," says 17-year-old Biadglin, who ran 2,225 meters in 6:42 minutes. "There are so many talented athletes that you have to wait. With the correct training and self-discipline it's possible to reach international standards."
The youngest of the three, 16-year-old Balata, who came in at 6:36 during his tryout, says so many young Ethiopians are healthy and demonstrate potential for long distance running because not only is it part of their tradition, "it is also due to topography."
"The views are so beautiful and the air is so pleasant, that everyone has the urge to run," he says. "The only difference I have felt here is the air, it's suffocating. I need to get used to it."
