Haile Gebrselassie, when he famously outkicked Moses Tanui in the dramatic 10,000m final at the 1993 World Championships, he didn’t just win his first global title- he ignited one of athletics’ greatest rivalries. The race, remembered for Gebrselassie accidentally stepping on Tanui’s shoe and forcing the Kenyan to run the final lap with just one shoe, remains a defining moment in distance running history.
Meanwhile, in a recent interview, Moses Tanui reflected on that controversial night in Stuttgart.
“I was robbed, so I still consider my silver as gold. I had the money that day, but the government, not the athlete or the coach, can appeal through the federation,” Said Tanui.
Moreover, Tanui lamented over the Kenyan government’s failure to help him secure justice.
“The representatives from Athletics Kenya should have been there to file a complaint, after which the jury should have convened to decide the way forward. Kenyan officials let me down and prompted me to quit track because nobody supported me when I most needed them. How can you represent a country when no one cares about you?” added Tanui.
Tanui’s frustration stemmed not only from the incident itself but also from what he felt was a lack of support from his federation. After the race, Kenyan officials did file a protest alleging interference, but the jury of appeals rejected it, cementing Gebrselassie’s victory and leaving Tanui feeling isolated.
Moses Tanui and Haile Gebrselassie Friendship
Despite the bitterness of that moment, time has healed old wounds. Moses Tanui and Haile Gebrselassie have since become friends, united by their shared legacy and the mutual respect that comes from years of competition.
“We can’t endure rage forever. Because Africa is a fantastic sporting continent, our goal is to unite Kenya and Ethiopia,” Tanui added.
Their friendship has grown beyond the track. Tanui recounted how Gebrselassie invited him to the Ethiopian Great Run 10km, an invitation he gladly accepted.
“He is a terrific individual in my eyes, just like every other elite athlete who has raised his banner with several records. I respected him, and he ought to visit Kenya for the sake of sport,” Tanui said, emphasising the spirit of unity now shared between the two legends.
The 1993 shoe drama may have sparked controversy, but it also laid the foundation for decades of fierce but respectful rivalry and, ultimately, friendship between two of Africa’s greatest distance runners.
