Mert Girmalegesse, formerly Shimelis Girma (Amharic), then Selim Bayrak (Turkish

Turkish language

Turkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...

), (born November 30, 1987) is an Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...

n born Turkish middle

Middle distance track event

Middle distance running events are track races longer than sprints, up to 3000 metres. The standard middle distances are the 800 metres, 1500 metres and mile run, although the 3000 metres may also be classified as a middle distance event. The 880 yard run, or half mile, was the forebear to the...

 and long distance track and field

Long-distance track event

Long-distance track event races require runners to balance their energy. These types of races are predominantly aerobic in nature and at the highest level, exceptional levels of aerobic endurance is required more than anything else...

 athlete, running in the disciplines of 3000 m, 5000 m and also 10000 m.

Personal life

Born and raised in Ethiopia, he transferred to Turkey for an amount of US$1 million. On May 15, 2008, he received Turkish citizenship and changed his name to Selim Bayrak. Two years later, he took the name Mert and changed his surname to Gırmalegese, his family's name in Ethiopia. For the reason of the repeated name change he stated that he wants to safeguard interests in his country of origin.

Sports career

In 2008 he won the 5000 m at the 2008 European Cup First League group B competitions in Istanbul

Istanbul

Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...

. In the same year he was third at the European Cross Country Championships in his own age category of men under 23 years (U23).

He finished eleventh in the 10000 m at the 2008 Summer Olympics

2008 Summer Olympics

The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...

 in Beijing

Beijing

Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...

 with 27:29.33 and did not start in the 5000 m qualification heat 3.

In 2009 he won the 10000 m at the 2009 European Athletics U23 Championships

2009 European Athletics U23 Championships

The 7th European Athletics U23 Championships were held between 16 and 19 July 2009 in the S. Darius and S. Girėnas Stadium in Kaunas, Lithuania.-Men's Results:-Women's Results:-Medal table:-References:General...

 in Kaunas

Kaunas

Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the center of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation...

 and also won bronze in the 10000 m at the 2009 Mediterranean Games

2009 Mediterranean Games

The 2009 Mediterranean Games , officially known as the XVI Mediterranean Games, took place in Pescara, Italy, from 25 June to 5 July, 2009...

 in Pescara

Pescara

Pescara is the capital city of the Province of Pescara, in the Abruzzo region of Italy. As of January 1, 2007 it was the most populated city within Abruzzo at 123,059 residents, 400,000 with the surrounding metropolitan area...

.

At the 2009 European Athletics Indoor Championships he competed in 3000 m and finished fifth in Torino.

He is a member of the Fenerbahçe S.K.

Fenerbahçe Athletics

Fenerbahçe Athletics is the men's and women's athletics section of Fenerbahçe S.K., a major sports club in Istanbul, Turkey.Fenerbahçe Athletics use Dereağzı Facilities.-Technical staff:-Men's squad:* Oğuz Akça* Halil Akkaş* Caner Alagöz...

athletics club.

Personal bests

Discipline	Performance	Place	Date
1 mile	4:00:58	Istanbul, Turkey	June 7, 2008
3000 m	7:45:46 NR	Torino, Italy	March 7, 2009
5000 m	13:26:14 NR	Izmir, Turkey	June 4, 2008
10000 m	27:29:31NR	Beijing, China	August 17, 2008

• NR National record

Performance progression

Discipline	Season	Performance	Place	Date
1 mile	2008	4:00:58	Istanbul, Turkey	June 7, 2008
3000 m	2009	7:45:46	Torino, Italy	March 7, 2009
5000 m	2008	13:26:14	Izmir, Turkey	June 4, 2008
5000 m	2009	13:55:61	Bursa, Turkey	June 9, 2009
8000 m	2008	25:17	Brussels, Belgium	December 14, 2008
10000 m	2008	27:45:75	Istanbul, Turkey	April 12, 2008
10000 m	2008	27:29:31	Beijing, China	August 17, 2008
10000 m	2009	29:36:29	Pescara, Italy	July 2, 2009
10000 m	2009	29:47:15	Kaunas, Lithuania	July 19, 2009

External links