Weini's Journey to Paris

A week from today, the Paris Olympics will kick off.

The journey to get there for each of the thousands of athletes is incredible. Years of sacrifice and training to be the best. A chance to represent their country on the world’s largest stage.

This morning, I want to share with you an interview I did with an Olympian that has an incredible story.

Her name is Weini Kelati, and she recently won the 10,000 meter race in Eugene, OR at the U.S. Olympic Trials. She was also a standout and NCAA Champion for the Lobos.

I wrote about her journey three years ago, as she frantically worked through the U.S. citizenship process in the week of the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials. Imagine trying to juggle the demands of preparing to race against the best in the country while not knowing in the days before the competition if you would be allowed to compete. Here is the 2021 blog on that moment for Weini: https://writingtoheal1.blogspot.com/2021/07/weinis-race.html

Excerpts from our conversation, with Weini in Switzerland training with her Under Armour team and me sitting at Flying Star trying not to annoy those seated in the tables next to me.

 

Weini after passing into 1st place with 50 meters to go

Anthony: First of all, a big congratulations. You are heading to the Olympics and you are the U.S. Champion. How does it feel?

Weini: It took me so long to cross the line. It has been a 10-year journey.

A: Can you remind us a bit about the journey you have taken to get here.

W: It was ten years ago, on this same track in Eugene. I was here for a youth world championships when I made the difficult decision to defect to the United States. It was hard, telling my family back in Eritrea that I wasn’t coming home. Then, in 2021 the unknown here in Eugene during the Olympic Trials. We didn’t know if I would be allowed to compete. I was finally cleared to run, and the race temperature was extremely hot. I dropped out before finishing, as did many others. And then the following year in Eugene, at the U.S. Championships, I was 4^th in the 10,000m, just missing the chance to go to the World Championships. (Top 3 from the U.S.A. in a given event go to Olympics/Worlds, with World Championships being run in non-Olympic years.)

A: That really puts into perspective what you said about it taking so long to cross the line. Weini, take us to the race itself. What were you thinking at the starting line?

W: I was saying to myself, “I am prepared for this. Stay focused. Stay patient.”

A: With one lap to go, you had moved into a pack of three that was in the lead. What were you thinking at this point in the race?

W: I wondered, “Should I go? Should I make my move now?” With about 200 to go, I made my move. I tried and pushed to the lead. But it didn’t work and they passed me, and so I tried again.

A: That was quite remarkable. Usually when someone makes a move to the lead in the last 200 and then gets passed, you don’t see them recover and win the race. In fact, the announcers said just that, and seemed to have given up on you having a chance to win.

W: I guess it’s a good thing I couldn’t hear the announcers! Yes, I just felt I had to give it another push and I knew I could win it.

A: Weini, as we close, what would you like to say the people of New Mexico as you head to Paris?

W: I want to say thank you. I am here because of you guys. It motivates me to do more work, when I see the support from my Lobo family. It makes me proud to be a Lobo and I hope to make you smile big when you see me racing for the USA in Paris.

So, my friends, you now have someone to cheer for on August 9^th when the women’s 10,000 meter race takes place in Paris. 

Let’s go, Weini!!

Watch the U.S. Olympic Trials 10,000m finish for yourself!