On Monday, distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie made another quantum leap in his entrepreneurial life by gifting Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali with the first electric car assembled in the country.

The Hyundai saloon car model is being produced by Addis Ababa’s Marathon Motors, owned by the multiple world record holder who also has interests in the real estate, sports, education, farming, mining and hospitality industries.

What’s practical about the Hyundai model handed over to the premier yesterday is the fact that it can be charged at home level (220 volts) and when on full, six-hour charge, it has the capacity to cover at least 300 kilometres.

But more significantly, the production of this line of vehicles will help reduce carbon emissions and contribute towards a greener Ethiopia.

Haile’s latest investment further cements his enviable position as the role model our athletes need to learn from to secure their post-running future.