Renowned Ethiopian racing cyclist Geremew Denboba has passed away at the age of 90 after undergoing treatment.
The late Geremew Denboba was born on December 16, 1932 in Addis Ababa.
He was the first athlete to represent Ethiopia in cycling in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
In 1956, Ethiopia participated in the 16th Olympic Games in cycling and athletics. Geremew finished 24th in the road cycling race, but topped his African and Asian competitors. Mesfin Tesfaye, Tsehay Bahta, and Mengistu Nigussie represented Ethiopia alongside Geremew Denboba. As a result, the Ethiopian cycling team was able to claim the 4th spot, owing to Geremew’s achievement.
However, in his second outing in the 17th Olympic Games, held in Rome, Italy, in 1960, Geremew crashed out of the competition. Unfortunately, he ended up in hospital with a broken leg.
After his injury, he embarked the coaching career and led the Ethiopian team in the 19th Olympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan.
In 1973, he led the Ethiopian cycling team to a gold medal in the second All African Games held in Lagos, Nigeria.
It is stated that Geremew Denboba is the most successful racing cyclist that Ethiopia has produced to date. According to the reports he has won 26 trophies and 32 medals in various competitions.
The funeral service for the late cyclist Geremew Demboba was held at Petros-wo-Paulos Church on Friday February 24.
