"Well, life is always a challenge. From day one. From day one since I grow up." The quote indicates a person who is looking for results. Someone for whom 'average' isn't enough. It belongs to Jama Aden.I had the pleasure to follow him and his runners, closely, for almost the whole summer this Olympic year of 2012. I saw their victories and their losses. During the success Jama was looking calm, sometimes with a smile on his face, during the decline he was alert, precise, rapid, dedicated and hard working. On his very last day in Sweden this year we met for an interview.
Already from beginning I felt the need to interview Mr Aden, he made such a great impression on me, but what finally made me do it, was an email from a reader. A question: "What do you think make them so good?" The reader, who happend to be a fairly good runner, was pointing at something. What on planet earth makes someone so good that he gets the gold in one of the most prestigious events in the Olympic Games, the metric mile? I tried to give the reader an answer in a previous blog post, but the question was too big not to develop. That's why I went on and asked the coach himself.
The interview lasted for more than one hour, which meant I got information for at least three hours, since Jama is known not only for good coaching, but also for speaking fast and thinking even faster. He is truly a great character.
Myself, I have a background in the natural science and mathematics. In those kind of subjects figures play a great role and a lot of the people involved in science are good at remembering figures. But very few scientist, professors or students in science whom I have met are as good as remembering these things called figures as Jama. His extraordinary memory makes him a jewel for any journalist who dares to interview him. His capacity for memorizing not only the result of his own and other athletes, but also the numbers of their 'life story' is explaining much of his success as a coach.
With two of his athletes at 3.30, one at 3.31 and another at 3.33 for 1500 and a handfull who have done 1.45 or faster at 800, Aden must be considered one of the best middle distance coaches there is today.
The interview was in beginning of September in the small and nice lobby of hotel Sparta close to the student campus in the city of Lund, Sweden.
As a former elite runner I have to admit it was somewhat sad and disappointing to realize that the knowledge I got from the summer with Jama's group and the interview, if it would have reach my mind as a runner, surely would have made me better. Now it is too late for me, but maybe not for you, athlete or coach? My wish and hope by sharing his thoughts is that I contribute to something good in the Swedish running community. My intention for writing in non-Swedish language was that it might also be of relevance to runners from other countries? I am curious to hear about reactions. Please feel free to post a comment.
Jama surprised me when he said he might have become musician instead of runner. The community of Somalian musicians are maybe sad because of his choice, but at least some runners are happy for the same reason...
_______________________________
I: Interviewer - Johan Wallerstein, retired runner. Mediocre but two times Swedish champion. 7.54 at 3000 m indoor as best achievement. 4th place 3000 m SPAR Eur Cup, Budapest 2010. Competed twice in Eur Champ 2009 (indoor 3000) and 2010 (5000) only heats. A: Jama Aden - coach to, among others, the London 1500 m Olympic champion Taoufik Makhloufi; two times 800 m world indoor champion Abubaker Kaki; Olympic silver medallist Ismael Ismael; 1500m world champion Abdi Bile; Hamza Driouch world junior champion 2012 and Ayanleh Souleiman 3.30,31. 2008 award as IAAF middle distance coach of the year; 2011 Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Sports Excellence as Best Arab Coach all sports.
London Olympics and the 1500-victory
I: You are recently back to Sweden from London Olympics 2012. The Olympic spirit says:
“Build a better world by promoting the Olympic truce and using sport to forge friendship among the athletes, young people and communities.”
[truce = cease fire] Do you think these are empty words or are there anything relevant in them?
A: No I think that is the truth. Absolutly, hundred percent right. The people in sports are positive, looking for the good side, that is very positive. We have the role modelling part as well. Motivating and helping the young people getting better life. Some people get off the street from drugs. We all become friends because athletics is one family. But also, at the same time certain people don’t feel that way. And I don’t call that a family when people in sport don't try to help athletes and sport. A family is a one that support in athletics, in a right way.
I: OK. Do you tell your athletes that they are role models?
A: Yes of course! As soon as they improve, but even the one who are not the top athletes, yes, because maybe they are important in their own country. And a lot of young people look up to them…
I: How do you explain to them?
A: For example every young kid in Algeria want to be like Taoufik now. And for instance, I give you another example. Mohammed Hamada, he is the best Egytian runner, he did 1.44 this year. So many young people have his Facebooks contact so I told him that he has to do the right thing and: "show them that you have a courage, that you are a good athlete. That you can achieve and that they also can follow you. They can do the same thing as you." Each individual in my group I talk with him. But I talk with them in general as well.
I: What did you feel when you saw your athlete cross the finish line as the first competitor in the London Olympic's 1500-final?
A: Oh, I feel very honoured, and I feel very proud and feel very lucky. I felt my hard work pays off and athletes hard work pays off and… ...This is a moment you cannot explain, it is very hard but then after maybe a three weeks you can figure it out and say oh, aha! It is shocking when you see your work has been recogniced…, ...and the goals and targets you have been looking for has been achieved. It is a special feeling. Very difficult to explain. Very, very difficult to explain but all I can say is that it was fantastic, fabulous…
I: Do you think you were even more happy than Taoufik?
Jama is quiet for a few seconds.
A: ...I was speechless. I…, ...I had a feeling from the first round he gonna win. Because my friend, John Capriati, the Nike guy asked me and emailed: “Who do you think gonna win the 1500?” I told him Taoufik, Iguider or Silas…, …or if it is a slow race the Americans, Centrowitz and Monzano can come. I told him that Americans in a slow race can squeeze in the middle…, ...but I had already picked him, Taoufik. The way he looked in first round and the semi final..., ...so I wasn’t shocked of the victory, but as you know, unless you cross the line you never know. You are not sure before that, but you know when you cross that. I even got out of stadium to the warm up area to see the race.
I: You did so?
A: Yes.
Suspicious comments immidiately after the gold
I: So you have already answered a part of next question: Some people say he, Makhloufi came from nowhere. What do you tell these sceptics?
A: I think he didn’t came out of nowhere. He has been around for four years. But he was an average athlete. But he changed his coaching. He changes his system of training. He has a big group to train with as us. Kaki, Abubaker who was two times world indoor champion. And who has the 1000 metre world indoor junior record. And also, he trained with Ayanleh Souleiman, who was one of the favorites to win in the middle. Ayanleh ran 3.30 earlier this year but unfortunately he was injuried pre Olympics. But people who know track and field, they know who Taoufik was. Because this year, if you look at it. He won Oslo, he won Stockholm, he won African championship, the 800 in 1.43,88 in Benin. That’s not an easy one. And also two weeks before, no 11 days before that, no 12 days before that he ran 3.30…, ...so how can you say…?
I: But you know that isn't really true, because people like Steve Cram they doubted in public, and also here in Sweden one national coach...
A: Yeah, but..., ...I think he made a silly mistake… ...I think he wasn’t right for what he said. He shouldn’t say that. Because he was announcing in Monaco in BBC when Taoufik ran 3.30, that it was a fabolous run. And how can you say, if you look at Nick Willis who did 3.30. He is one of the favorites and then when Taoufik ran 3.30 he came out of nowhere…?!
I: Yes, true.
A: As simple as that!
I: Yeah, that is simple…
A: And also, some people, when they fail to succeed in sports, they bad mouth others who become successful. This is the bottom line of jealousy. So they become jealous since they haven't achieved what the other coaches achieved and their athletes didn’t achieve what they could have achieved. This is the human nature. And it is very pity when people say something and they are not sure about it.
...back to Olympics - Ayanleh Souleiman, Driouch and Kaki
I: What do you think about the performances of the other runners in your group during Olympics? You mentioned Ayanleh Souleiman, he didn’t go there at all, to London.
A: Yeah, that was very sad for Ayanleh, he was very, very impressive before that happend to him. The first time he run in Hengelo, I didn’t see the race. I was in the phone with Staffan and Staffan told me 3.30,31. I told him “do you say 3.33 or 3.30?” He said 3.30,31. I said 3.31 is a…, ...no, no he said, 3.30,31. Three times I have Staffan the guy in the phone and... I thought he was going to run fast but not so early and he was getting better and better, but…
I: And the other runners in the group, if you breifly mention them? What do you think?
A: I think Hamza Driouch was fabulous this year. He was fantastic. He won the world junior championship with a style. He also run close to world junior record in May…
I: And his Olympics? He missed the final.
A: Hamza, he was unlucky. He got tripped with 200 to go in the semifinal. I think it could have been in the final. And I think it could have been a good challenge for him to be in the final, because even though Hamza still is young, he is a tough man. My main goal with him for this year was the world juniors and be on the final in London. And he was close to both. He did one but the other one he was unlucky. But he has a good future and also, the way he run in the mile in Oslo, that was very curageous and brave and he did it like a, like a senior elite athlete.
I: The others, the 800 runners?
A: The 800, they were very well, Musaeb Balla who was in the semi final he was injuried but still competed well. He still ran nicely in the first round. But I think he was not well conditioned to run back to back two races so for me I was satisfied with him to be in the semi final. Hamada, I thought he would run better than that. He won the first round. Second round, I thought he will compete very well but for some reasons it was too big for him as a youngster who come from..., ...you know he needs to develop. I was expecting better than that honestly, but he tried. Egyptian middle distance have no tradition. He did 1.44 this year.
I: You haven't mentioned Kaki. You don’t consider him your athlete?
A: No Kaki is my athlete, he is my son almost. He was my first big athlete for the group and he had a great success. He actually was one of the greatest 800-runners all time. One of them. And this year. He got a early injury I think. That squee…, ...ruined his season. He was up…, …he was up and down this season. He won Prefontaine [Diamond League in Eugene, June], that was very good and then he had hamstring problem in New York and dropped out. Then again he ran very good in Sollentuna, 1.43, and then he ran two bad races. And then he looked good in the first round and the semi final in Olympics. But the final, I think he - Rudisha - was too strong for them and Kaki tried to follow but it was not possible to keep up with Rudisha, so I will say it was a disappointing season for him, and for Sudan, and for myself. And I think he must come back in great shape for the world championship next year. Yes Kaki is very very close, very attached to me. We have a special relationship because I respected him from day one.
Since Kaki didn’t show up in Lund I asked Jama if he would join the group if they go to Lund next year. Jama responded yes, and said also.
A: Lund, now my athletes call their home, and when they got off at the train station they say, now again we feel we are 'in camp'. This forest, this forest in Skrylle here is one of the best forests I have ever seen in my life.
I: It's very nice to hear. Now we leave Olympics and we continue with discussing yourself and your story.
A: Yes.
 |
Jama in the middle of some of his runners in Lund, early June 2012. From the left: Naccerdine Hallil, Musaeb Balla, Jama Aden, Taoufik Makhloufi, Hamza Driouch, Mohammed Hamada and Mumin Gala
|
Your background - Somalia, US (Mal Whitfield) and Great BritainI: You have british citizenship and are based there, but you are Somalian by heart and soul.
A: Yes.
I: What are the challenges and advantages of combining these two citizenships?
A: Well I am Somalian and I’m very proud of that. I was born there, I grow up there. I was one of their best athletes during my days. And I was like kind of hero to them. And I have developed and guided so many athletes from Somalia like Abdi Bile, and also I represented my country in Olympics and World championships. But then I had the opportunity to go to US and study. And thank to God and Mal Whitfield. Mal Whitfield he was my coach, american and two times Olympic champion.
I: Ma...? How do you spell his first name?
A: M a l, Malvin. He was 1948 Olympic 800 champion and also 1952. He ran exactly the same time. 1.49,2 and 1.49,2. He used to have nine foot stride. He is the guy who discovered me in Somalia and gave me US scholarship. So that’s why the 800 is special to me and 1500 and that area. Then I met my wife in England and I married and then we were building some time there. And my base, my house is there. So it gives me also the advantage to live a better life in England. Because in Somalia, as you know, there are a lot of problems. So I think the combination gives me the best from two worlds, I come from a background with hard life but also being an European and English, to have a better life and become educated and then…, ...you know I am proud of both of them.
I: At what University did you study?
A: First I went to Fairleigh Dickinson University, FDU, New Jersey, that was my BS and then to George Mason University in Virginia for my master.
I: I don’t know so much about Virgina.
A: It is outside Washington DC.
I: What education did you get there?
A: It was a master in exercise and physiology. So that helps me today when I am coaching. I got scholarship during my first four years of my BS. And then I got my master I was assistant coach at George Mason were I coached Abdi Bile.
I: And back to the original question, there were not any challenges of having two citizenships?
A: Well life is always a challenge. From day one. From day one since I grow up. You want to be a student. You want to be an athlete. You want to do something special. It is always challenging doing something new so…, …you never stops. Somalia was a challenge. Everywhere you go life is a challenge. Even up to day. I am still challenging. I am e v e r y day learning and try to get better and better. So challenge never stops.
I: Why did you enter the world of sport?
A: First I was football player. But I was not good enough, I was always reserve. And I don’t want to be a reserve to watch only. Then you wait until somebody don’t get heard, somebody don’t come or somebody get sick so it wasn’t the best thing for me and probably wouldn’t encourage me to continue as a football player. There was a Somalian fellow who was a runner. He told me "you know what, since you become reserve all time and you are not happy about it, I think you can run, why don’t you become a runner?" He persuaded me to run. And always when we used to play football we both jog back to my house. And then the same year in national scholastic championship, I won for my state and then I want to reach the Somalian championship. And the following year, I start to continually running. I won the Arab championship as an African junior and I carried on all that.
I: So it was a natural way for you to run?
A: Yeah it was a way and then it also was a way to get education and get a scholarship and when I met Mal Withfield he told me, if you finish high school I give you scholarship to US so you can study. That was a new motivation for me. Then as soon as I finished high school he told me hey things are ready.
Music
I: I know you are a good singer and you like music, why didn’t you go into that business instead?
A: You know in Somalia singers are very famous people and people look up to them but, my parents, it was always my father who was against. He thought if I go singing then I will…, …maybe it is not a better way of living because, singers, a lot of them they chew cat and they smoke, and it could be stereotype. Then I told him I got to choose one of them and then he told me the world of sports is probably OK. He also thought I would probably stop education if I go singing, many people go to sing and then they stop studying. And he didn’t want that happened to me. And then I told him I choose sports. He was at the beginning not sure, but then I told him let me go into the sports...
I: How do you feel about that decision? Do you think it was good for you?
A: It was good. I still sing sometimes with my friends and some professional singers always come to me and they say we have this meeting for you and…, ...still I enjoy singing. I sing sometimes but not as much as I used to do since my time is so much focused in sports nowadays. But I still love listen to music and when I walk around in the forest I sometimes try to bring some songs and stuff like that but.
I: You like listening to the birds?
A: Well the songs used to come to me when I'm in peace. Either when I'm travelling long by plane or when I am walking in forest.
I: What music do you prefer listening to?
A: Somalian music.
I: Not Western European pop music?
A: No Somalian music is my first choice. I love it and I still think I can sing. I don’t know when I am about this age if I can start a new career now. Ha ha ha, I love it very much yeah.
Sweden
I: What brought you to Sweden?
A: Oh Sweden! I have a long relationsship with your country. I have a very good friend, Kenth Andersson who brought me here in the early eighties. Then I met Ulf Saletti and I am still involved in his management. And Daniel Wessfeldt and Johan Engholm. Those are the people whom I know and I am still connected with. It is easy to travel here, between Copenhagen and Stockholm and there is enough of good meets, your Grand Prix's. And there is also some big international meets like DN-galan, Stockholm and Oslo. There used to be Helsinki Games also. It is a good area to travel and to compete in and also the nature is good the forest is always good. The people are very simple so there is no stress, no violence and all that you know.
I: We hope you will continue to come here.
A: Yeah we would love to.
I: And your athletes contribute a lot to the competitions in Sweden.
A: Yes they love it, they all progress here.
Global trends in running - US, Africa and EuropeI: You started 1975 as an athlete. You have seen the rise of athletics as a spectator sport. What is the main difference between the athletic society then and now? Has the athletic community changed a lot since you started?
A: Yeah, in Somalia we didn’t see much. Now it is more marketing. You know there used to be the days when it was only amateurs. So if we talk about money it has changed a lot. If you don’t receive money you are not able to compete. So many athletes only had short career before. Then there come marketing and promotional fees. Yes it is a big difference. Some people like Usain Bolt makes millions of money which is good for the sport. And more people look at it like a professional job. Many Africans.
I: So it has become more professional?
A: Yes it is a big difference. Cause I love it back those days but some good athletes they never made much big money out of it and now it is more marketing, especially if you are being good. Yes.
I: How do you explain the American up rise in middle and long distance running?
A: Americans, I think they are doing very well. We see Galen Rupp who trains with Mohammed Farah, to become 2nd place, and beat all the Etiopians is a big honour. And that has also a lot to do with coaching. Alberto Salazar, is a friend of mine whom I respect a lot. He put so much hours into his athletes…
I: Do you think he is a great part of this change?
A: Yes!
I: One person? Do you think one person can make that difference?
A: Not only, but he, you know the revolution starts from one and then it affects the whole area and lately he has a few athletes, like Ryan Hall, Mohammed Farah who is not American but he is based there and train with them and then Galen Rupp. He has those athletes and also Matt Centrowitz, whom he hasn’t always coached but is involved with. When a group is running very well, you see that your collegues are running very well, "why can't I run very well also?" That’s one thing, and there is also Schumacher, the other coach who has done a good job. He has Lopez Lomong, Shalene Flanagan and Goucher. I think also Nike is putting a lot of effort to develop that area in Eugene, Oregon. So they have the Oregon track club which is doing a good job in middle and long distance.
|
Set as homepage 
|
Add to favorites 
|
Quran Recitation & Hadith Translation Arabic/ English
Tartanka kubada cagta ee gobolka bandir
Dadaal ayaa lagu gaaraa Guushaa
Coach of the Year Jama Aden
