By Daily Sports on February 16, 2017
Ethiopian runner Feyisa Lilesa, famous for his protest at the Rio Olympics, has been reunited with his family for the first time since going into exile.
He crossed his wrists over his head as he took silver in the marathon in a gesture against the Ethiopian government's treatment of Oromo people.
Afterwards he refused to go home, saying his life might be in danger.
Now in the US, it is the first time he has seen his wife and two young children for at least six months.
He told the Associated Press news agency that the decision to leave his family behind had been a necessary risk.
“Putting them potentially in harm's way was a good lesson for a lot of people that you need to sacrifice in order for you to win some concessions and change your situation,” he said.
“In that sense, it inspires people to fight for their rights and resist the government in Ethiopia.”
In September the athlete left Brazil for the US, where he is staying on a special skills visa.
His family arrived with visas as well, AP reports.
Mr Feyisa became the first Ethiopian to finish in the top two of a men’s Olympics marathon since 2000, claiming silver behind Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge.
After his political protest, Ethiopian officials denied he was in danger, saying he would be welcomed home from Rio as a hero.
At the time, Mr Feyisa said he had relatives who were in prison and if they talked about democratic rights they would be killed.
He is from Oromia, home to most of Ethiopia's 35 million Oromo people, the country's largest ethnic group.
A wave of anti-government protests began in the region in November 2015 with people complaining about social and political marginalisation.
During the protests and police crackdowns, they used the symbol of crossing their arms above their heads to mark their defiance.
In October, a six-month state of emergency was imposed in Ethiopia to deal with the unprecedented anti-government unrest. (BBC)
•Photo shows Ethiopian runner Feyisa Lilesa during his famous protest at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Source Daily Sports
Posted February 16, 2017
You may also like...
Amusan, Lindley begin battle for 100m honours Saturday...
Frank Mba: 10 Facts You Need To Know...
Gareth Bale speaks of ‘best achievement’ of his...
Amokachi to Akpom: Besiktas Is A Great Opportunity...
Premier League, EFL Agree £250 Million Virus Rescue...
Usyk Calls Tyson Fury ‘Crazy’
Latest News
Onojuvwevwo sets world lead as Ogundiran breaks NAIA record
Ethiopians sweep top spots in Yenagoa 10km race
Remo, 3SC rekindle South West derby in Ikenne
NPFL: Mbaoma chase Obaje, Arumala in Golden Boot race
Chelle keen on Kayode for AFCON 2027
Chukwueze among offensive duel leaders in EPL
U-13 JOF Kids Cup: Quarter-Final Fireworks Set for Easter Sunday
Title talk grows after Itauma’s record-breaking KO
Winners emerge at Ebaretonbofa golf tourney
Chukwu greatest player to wear Eagles jersey – Ikpeba
Nnadozie continues WSL form as Brighton defeat Leicester
Premier League fans back call to scrap VAR
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,681 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,998 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,919 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,525 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,453 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,359 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,217 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,758 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,948 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,458 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,861 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,334 views)
Onojuvwevwo sets world lead as Ogundiran breaks NAIA record
Ethiopians sweep top spots in Yenagoa 10km race
Remo, 3SC rekindle South West derby in Ikenne
NPFL: Mbaoma chase Obaje, Arumala in Golden Boot race
Chelle keen on Kayode for AFCON 2027
Chukwueze among offensive duel leaders in EPL
U-13 JOF Kids Cup: Quarter-Final Fireworks Set for Easter Sunday
Title talk grows after Itauma’s record-breaking KO
Winners emerge at Ebaretonbofa golf tourney
Chukwu greatest player to wear Eagles jersey – Ikpeba
Nnadozie continues WSL form as Brighton defeat Leicester
Premier League fans back call to scrap VAR
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,681 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,998 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,919 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,525 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,453 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,359 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,217 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,758 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,948 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,458 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,861 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,334 views)