Weini Kelati’s journey to the Paris Olympics is not your typical one. A decade ago, at age 17, the track and field runner from Eritrea intentionally missed her flight back home from the World Junior Championships in Oregon. With the help of an Eritrean family she met in the stands, she defected and sought asylum in the U.S.
She would go to live with a long, lost cousin in Leesburg and become a cross-country track star at Loudoun County’s Heritage High School, winning the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships in 2014 and the NCAA title in 2019 while at the University of New Mexico, where she racked up the most running honors in school history. She became a U.S. citizen just three days before the Olympic trials in 2021.
At the Summer Olympics in Paris, she is part of the U.S. track and field team and will run in the 10,000-meter race on August 9. Ahead of her Olympic journey, Kelati answered questions via email.
Virginia has traditionally been a pretty competitive state when it comes to running. If you agree with that statement, did it help prepare you to win your national title and your later running career?
It’s a very competitive state; and yes, it certainly helped me become a better racer. I learned a lot during my time in Virginia and it helped me at every level of the sport.
You’ve won a national title at all three levels of running: high school, college, and professional. Which of those national titles was the hardest to obtain?
They are all hard to earn, but the professional level has been the most work as this takes all my years of experience. I’m extra motivated by such a good field at the Olympics, it excites me to race the best.
How many years at the sport do you think it took you to master being efficient at training?
It’s been more than half of my life; I started when I was 12 and I’m now 27. I don’t think you ever master the sport but continue to get better and learn. There is always more to accomplish and you can continue to get better. This is still the beginning for me.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten about distance running?
I think to stay patient and there is always more to accomplish if you dream big.
You sought refuge from Eretria to help your mother and siblings. Will they be able to see them at the Olympics?
No, my mother or siblings have never been able to watch me in person, but I always tell them how I do.
At the Olympics do you think you’ll be able to enjoy the experience in the days leading to your race, or will you be in training mode the whole time?
It’s still the biggest race of my life, so I will stay focused on the competition so I can give my all. It requires a lot more focus at such a high-level race.
What are you most excited about at the Olympics?
Representing the USA and getting to meet all of the athletes that I have looked up to over the years.
Feature image of Weini Kelati in 2022 by ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy Stock Photo
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