Olympics: Ethiopia's 'Robel The Whale' Booed Back Home
Zeeshan Mehtab Published August 11, 2016 | 04:10 PM
ADDIS ABABA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Augst,2016) : Ethiopian swimmer Robel Kiros Habte has won hearts in Rio but faced a vitriolic reaction at home Thursday due to accusations that nepotism is the only reason he is at the Olympics. The 24-year-old son of the country's swimming boss ranked 59th out of 59 competitors in the men's 100m freestyle heats on Tuesday, posting a time of 1:04.95 -- half a lap behind anyone else. Between the rippling abs of the world's finest swimmers, 24-year-old Habte's generously rounded stomach quite literally stuck out, soon earning him the affectionate nickname of "Robel the Whale" on social media. But internet users in Ethopia -- which regularly produces first-class athletics champions -- were apoplectic with rage that Robel had been selected.
"Robel is symbol of racism, favouritism, incompetence that we're currently fighting," tweeted Addis Ababa resident Lina T, referring to a wave of anti-government protests currently engulfing the country. Habte even took the honour of carrying the flag during the Olympic opening ceremony on August 5, a symbol of patriotic pride that Ethiopians were outraged was not given to the world-class runners walking alongside him. "It's OK to come last in any competition, somebody has to right? It's NOT OK to embarrass a nation by entering a competition with no competence whatsoever," Seble T posted on Facebook.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Delegation of international investors meets Finance Minister
Federal Govt stands with Balochistan for its development: Naqvi
UAE President receives condolences of Prime Minister of Pakistan over passing of ..
ECC approves to enhance wheat procurement targets
UN urges Israel to 'stop escalation' as tanks enter Gaza's Rafah city
EU stumps up $125 mn for Yemen after aid groups' plea
Governor Tessori condemns May 9 riots, calls it a 'pre-planned conspiracy'
PM condoles with UAE President over Sheikh Tahnoun’s death
Milan nets Giro 4th stage, Pogacar retains lead
UBS back in profit after Credit Suisse takeover losses
Asiya Gul lauds Shafaat's services as DG LG
President for dialogue with all political forces in Balochistan
More Stories From Sports
-
Milan nets Giro 4th stage, Pogacar retains lead
8 hours ago -
HEC, Army move National Challenge Cup semis
10 hours ago -
Jonathan Milan wins Giro 4th stage, Pogacar retains lead
10 hours ago -
WAPDA taste first final defeat in tennis in 42 years after falling to PAF
11 hours ago -
Bangladesh seal T20 series with nine-run win over Zimbabwe
11 hours ago -
Babar Azam eyes multiple records during Ireland, England tours
13 hours ago
-
Flat-out: Hirscher boosts skiing in mountainless Netherlands
12 hours ago -
Pakistan, Japan match ends in a draw
12 hours ago -
Cricket: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe second T20 scores
12 hours ago -
Olympic flame to arrive in France ahead of Paris Olympics
12 hours ago -
Is time up for Ten Hag after Man Utd implosion?
15 hours ago -
Match officials named for FIFA Qualifier
16 hours ago