Marathoner fails to return home

ADDIS ABABA: Olympic marathon silver medallist Feyisa Lilesa failed to return to Ethiopia Monday night despite assurances he would not be punished for his Rio protest

ADDIS ABABA: Olympic marathon silver medallist Feyisa Lilesa failed to return to Ethiopia Monday night despite assurances he would not be punished for his Rio protest over political repression in his country.

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A journalist at the airport in Addis Ababa said Lilesa was not on-board the plane that landed on Monday night carrying Ethiopia’s Olympics team.

Ethiopian sports officials congratulated team members but made no mention of Lilesa’s silver medal achievement — one of only eight medals won by Ethiopia — and refused to answer any questions about the athlete.

On Sunday, Lilesa, who came second to Kenyan favourite Eliud Kipchoge in Rio, crossed his arms as he finished the marathon in a symbolic protest against the repressive Ethiopian regime. The 26-year-old repeated the gesture during the medal ceremony, telling reporters later that he was afraid to go back home.