Robel Teklemariam is to become the first Ethiopian to compete in the Winter Olympic Games, which begin today in Turin, Italy. Robel will be taking part in the Men’s 15km classical race cross country skiing on Friday 17th February.

"There are two things I absolutely love - besides my family - and that's skiing and Ethiopia," he told the BBC's Fast Track programme.

“It’s definitely historic for Ethiopia and it means a lot to me personally,” Robel said.

"My first and foremost hero is Abebe Bikila, the Ethiopian runner who ran barefoot in Italy and won the gold medal there," he said

“It’s an honour for me to race at this level in a sport that I love and for a country that I’m very proud to be from. I want this Olympics to open my eyes and hopefully the eyes of other Ethiopians. Ethiopia is my heritage, my country and it’s who I am.”

ENDS