The Ethiopian athlete who made global headlines at the 2016 Rio Olympics with an anti-government gesture returned from exile on Sunday after sports officials assured him he would not face prosecution.
Feyisa Lilesa grabbed news headlines after he crossed his arms above his head (an anti-government gesture) at the finish line of the men’s marathon race, in which he finished second.
“If I go back to Ethiopia, maybe they will kill me,” he said at the time. “If not kill me, they will put me in prison. I have not decided yet, but maybe I will move to another country.”
Feyisa returned to Addis Ababa from the United States on Sunday, and was received by the foreign minister and other top government officials.
His return comes several months after Ethiopia’s regime change, which saw reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed take over from Hailemariam Desalegn.
Asked whether he had any ambitions to join politics, Feyisa said: “I don’t have any ambition in politics! Actually I didn’t get close to politics, politics gets close to me.”
He broke down in tears while speaking about his fellow countrymen and women who lost their lives during the lengthy protests.
“I will continue to remember those who lost their lives for the cause. Many people lost their lives for it,” he said.
Turning his attention to athletics, he said his next race would be the Dubai Marathon in January 2018.
“My training while I was in exile was not good, so it has affected my performance,” Feyisa said. “I will resume my regular training after a week.”
