Elvan Abeylegesse

• Sport: Olympic Track and Field
• Nation: Turkey
• Discipline: 10,000 meters
• Notes: Born Hewan Abeye in Ethiopia, Abeylegesse has competed in seven disciplines throughout her career (1,500 meters, 2,000m, 3,000m, 5,000m, 10,000m, two miles and cross country) and is expected to contend for a medal in Beijing in the 10,000m. ... Finished eighth in the 1,500m at the 2004 Athens Games and 12th in the 5,000m, but was first in the 5,000m at the World Athletics Final less than one month after the Olympics. ... She then suffered injuries to both Achilles' tendons and missed two years. ... Returned to action in 2006, finishing third in the 5,000m at the European Championships. ... Made further improvement in 2007 with a second-place finish in the 10,000m at the World Championships. ... Decided to move to Istanbul in 2000 because of a lack of support from the Ethiopian Athletics Federation and became a citizen of Turkey after getting married and becoming Elvan Can. ... Has since divorced and taken the name Elvan Abeylegesse.