Since I achieved something, running has exploded in my country. For me sometimes it is difficult even to know who the athletes are who are competing at the highest level. There are thousands.
I always tell young athletes the same thing, 'Wherever you go, whatever you do, what must your top priority be? Running.'
Many people know that Ethiopia is poor. When I break a world record, maybe people get to know something else about Ethiopia, something good. We can't make planes or cars, we don't have the materials. We do what we can.
When we race in London a world record will be the last thing on our minds.
I think if you come first with a new world record, that is the best.
My father didn't think running was sensible. He told me running is just wasting time.
