Five-time world cross-country champion Paul Tergat (© Steve Christo)
Paul Tergat knows more than a thing or two about cross-country running.
A five-time winner of the senior men’s world cross-country title, Tergat is widely regarded as not only one of the greatest runners of all time at the discipline, but also one of the leading authorities on the subject.
He retired from competition more than a decade ago, but he remains as engaging a figure off the track as he was during his heyday. Rarely seen without a smile on his face – especially when in close proximity to a competition venue – Tergat is more than happy to share his wisdom with anyone who asks.
Paul Tergat wins the senior men's race at the 1998 World Cross Country Championships (© Getty Images)
In recent months he has acted as a mentor for the Athlete Refugee Team, particularly during their preparation for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 23, for which Tergat is the official ambassador.
Earlier this year, members of the Athlete Refugee Team based in Kenya moved their base to the Complete Sports Training Centre in Eldoret, where Tergat has witnessed first-hand how the entire squad is starting to thrive.
“We have fully embraced them and aim to train them to be a complete athlete,” said Tergat. “We also treat them as we would any other athlete – we don’t want them to feel like refugees; we want them to feel like us, like our own.
“Being a refugee is not something that happens by choice,” added the former world record-holder. “I’m so thankful for all the work done by various governments and organisations to help these athletes fulfil their potential. And more importantly for World Athletics to give them the opportunity to compete in global events, it’s a big plus, and it gives them hope and dignity.
“The athletes who are competing here are carrying the hopes and dreams of refugees worldwide, and they can see that there’s something positive coming out of their situation.”
One particular recent source of inspiration came earlier this month when Anjelina Nadai Lohalith won the European Champion Clubs Cup Cross Country in Castellon, the first victory by an ART member in an international competition.
“That was a big celebration for us,” said Tergat. “Not just for Anjelina, but for the other athletes back in the camp. She has become an inspiration and a huge source of encouragement.”
Tergat hopes it may inspire more women and girls to join refugee training camps, addressing the current slight imbalance. “We have more men than women, so we need to encourage more women to join the camps. The camp has a great role model in Janeth Jepkosgei,” Tergat said of the 2007 world 800m champion, who is head coach of the Athlete Refugee Team competing in Bathurst.
A jog down memory lane
Being back at a World Cross – and at a global athletics event in Australia – has triggered many fond memories for Tergat.
Paul Tergat at the Sydney Olympic Stadium (© WXC Bathurst 23 LOC)
“When I found out I was coming here, I said that I couldn’t come all this way without visiting Sydney where, 20-plus years ago, I missed out on a gold medal by the thickness of a vest,” said Tergat, who claimed silver in the 10,000 at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games behind his great rival Haile Gebrselassie.
“It was so emotional to be back there,” he said. “When I stepped on the track, I had to go like this (raises hands triumphantly).
“And being here, at a World Athletics Cross Country Championships, brings back a lot of memories to me. I have been to many World Cross Country Championships, and I won five of them. My only dream for the athletes competing here is that they give their best.
“I remember my first World Cross more than 30 years ago, which was also the first time I’d left my country,” said Tergat, who travelled to the 1992 World Cross Country Championships in Boston but was ultimately unable to compete due to injury. “Simply being on the team for that event was very exciting, I couldn’t sleep. It’s very emotional and difficult to explain. It’s unique.”
During his youth, and throughout his formative years in the sport, Tergat faced hardships. While he was at school in Kenya, he was a beneficiary of the school feeding programme as his parents were unable to provide food every day at home.
Paul Tergat in his role as ambassador for the World Food Programme (© AFP / Getty Images)
It’s largely why he is now such a vocal advocate for helping anyone who is facing difficulties, especially refugees.
“Anything can happen to anyone, and circumstances can change all of a sudden, not of your own doing,” he said. “We saw what happened in Turkey and Syria recently with the earthquakes. It’s why we need to embrace refugees and give them the support they deserve. The most important thing is to give them dignity and treat them as human beings as much as possible.
“Any athlete who comes to me, especially refugee athletes, I always tell them: give your best and make the most of the time you have as an athlete. Your talent has been discovered, this is not an accident – you have something special. Make sure you believe in yourself, and take the opportunities you have. The whole world will open up to you; you can be anything you want to be.
“So long as you keep being positive in life – regardless of where you are – don’t sit down. Take one step at a time, then everything will change. Because every hour, or every other day, or every other week or month, things continue to change. You don’t have to go back again; you have to start.
“We never knew we we’d reach the things we were able to reach,” he added. “But we were able to do that because of a hand someone has given us. And then you can hold out a hand for somebody else. And that is what we’re doing in sports: encouraging each and every one without discrimination – be it culture, colour, race, gender. We don’t discriminate in sports, at all.”
Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics
