From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Miruts Yifter (born January 1, 1938 or May 15, 1944) is a former Ethiopian athlete, winner of two gold medals at the 1980 Summer Olympics. His name is also sometimes spelled as Muruse Yefter.

Born in Adigrat, in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia, Miruts Yifter spent early parts of his youth working in different factories and as a carriage driver. His talent as a long-distance runner was noticed when he joined the Ethiopian Air Force.

Yefter was called to the Ethiopian national team for the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, but he made his Olympic debut four years later in Munich Olympics where he won a bronze medal in 10,000 m. However, he arrived too late for the 5000 m final.

In the 1973 All-Africa Games he won one gold medal (10000 metres) and one silver (5000 metres). At the 1st African Championships in 1979 he won two gold medals (5000 and 10000 metres).

He was unable to participate in the 1976 Summer Olympics because his nation boycotted the event. Four years later in Moscow, Yefter made up for his disappointments. In the final of the 10,000 m he sprinted into the lead 300 m from the finish and won by ten meters. Five days later, in the 5000 m final, Yefter was boxed in during the last lap. But with 300 m to go, his Ethiopian teammate, Mohammed Kedir, stepped aside and Yefter again sprinted to victory. Due to his abrupt change in speed when executing his kick to the finish, Yefter is commonly referred to as "Yifter the Shifter."

At the Moscow Olympics, part of the mystery surrounding Miruts Yifter was the question of his age, which was reported to be between 33 and 42. Yifter refused to give a definitive answer, telling reporters:

Men may steal my chickens; men may steal my sheep. But no man can steal my age.

The most common versions about his date of birth are January 1, 1938 or May 15, 1944.