Tirunesh Dibaba to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Dibaba fans. Speculation had been rife that three-time Olympic champion will announce her retirement from sports, at age 40, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 22/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an athlete isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an athlete just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouTirunesh

For a little while on Saturday evening, #ThankYouTirunesh was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouTirunesh.”
— @DesireePlum, 21 Mar 2026

“Dibaba wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 21 Mar 2026

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