Haile Gebrselassie on stage with actress Charlize Theron at the FIFA draw in Cape Town (© Getty Images)
Before an estimated 200 million television viewers worldwide, World marathon record holder Haile Gebrselassie assisted with the final draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup at a gala ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa, on Friday.
“It was great to see the inside of a sport like soccer,” said the Ethiopian distance running legend. Gebrselassie and English footballer David Beckham were the only non-South African sporting stars invited to assist with the 32-team draw.
“It was great to meet David Beckham live, he is a very sympathetic person,” Gebrselassie said via Twitter. “It is just great to be part of such an incredible sports world!”
Before a live audience of 2000 invited guests, the athletes assisted guest presenter Charlize Theron, an Academy Award winning actress and native South African, and FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke with the eight group pairings.
While Gebrselassie wouldn’t commit to a personal favourite squad, he said his heart lies with the six national teams that will be representing the African continent.
“I am first cheering for Africa and their teams, but I also feel a lot of sympathy for all the European countries where I have been running,” Gebrselassie said.
It was a short break for Gebrselassie, who resumed training today. He confirmed that he will next race on New Year’s Eve in Trier, Germany, before another appearance at the Dubai Marathon next month.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
“It was great to see the inside of a sport like soccer,” said the Ethiopian distance running legend. Gebrselassie and English footballer David Beckham were the only non-South African sporting stars invited to assist with the 32-team draw.
“It was great to meet David Beckham live, he is a very sympathetic person,” Gebrselassie said via Twitter. “It is just great to be part of such an incredible sports world!”
Before a live audience of 2000 invited guests, the athletes assisted guest presenter Charlize Theron, an Academy Award winning actress and native South African, and FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke with the eight group pairings.
While Gebrselassie wouldn’t commit to a personal favourite squad, he said his heart lies with the six national teams that will be representing the African continent.
“I am first cheering for Africa and their teams, but I also feel a lot of sympathy for all the European countries where I have been running,” Gebrselassie said.
It was a short break for Gebrselassie, who resumed training today. He confirmed that he will next race on New Year’s Eve in Trier, Germany, before another appearance at the Dubai Marathon next month.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
