Happy birthday! Tirunesh Dibaba turns 40 today

Tirunesh Dibaba is celebrating her 40th birthday today. As a number of online tributes attest, she is one of the most acclaimed athletes of her generation.

Popular athlete Tirunesh Dibaba has always liked to keep a bit of herself hidden from view. At 40th birthday, she remains a woman of many facets.

Dibaba, a cultural icon

Born in Bekoji on October 1, 1985, Tirunesh Dibaba's career spans an arc over many different eras and tastes in Ethiopian history. Dibaba's not just a great athlete, she's an inspiration, an icon and a successful business woman. At this point in her career, there seems to be little Tirunesh hasn't done.

And we've got a feeling the next 12 months are going to be even bigger and better for Tirunesh Dibaba as she promises more to come. After all, she's only 40.

Happy Birthday, Tirunesh, you're the best!

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