Ethiopian State Media Blacks Out Their Athlete at the Finish Line After He Won Silver at the Olympics for Doing This Dangerous Thing (Photo)

He won a silver medal in the men’s marathon at the recently concluded Olympics, but what he did at the finish line had the state owned Ethiopian media blacking out part of his win.

Feyisa Lilesa crossed his arms above his head (X) as he ran towards the finish line. An anti-government  gesture that is being made by the Oromo people as a sign of protest for the vicious police crackdown on the Oromo people which has led to the death of more than 400 people since November.

 

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Image:ESPN

Speaking to the Press, Feyisa revealed that due to this ballsy gesture, he fears for his life. “If I go back to Ethiopia maybe they will kill me.” he said before stating why he put his very life on the line in this gesture of solidarity. “The Ethiopian government is killing my people so I stand with all protests anywhere as Oromo is my tribe. My relatives are in prison and if they talk about democratic rights they are killed.” 

Getachew Reda,the government spokesman told the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate that the silver-medalist “will not face any problems for his political stance”  as he had secured a silver medal for the country .

But Feyisa is not convinced and neither is the world and that is why people have contributed more that 120,000 Dollars on his Go Fund Page to help him secure asylum for him and his family.

About this writer:

Sue Watiri