Shewarge Alenes (†)

At only 30 years old: Athletics star suddenly dead

Ethiopian marathon runner Shewarge Alene has died at the age of 30. Just recently, she beamed from the winner's podium in Stockholm.

September 25, 2025

From: dpa

Shewarge Alene's sudden death was confirmed by the Ethiopian Athletics Federation German press agency this Wednesday.

She complained of heart problems during a training session in the capital, Addis Ababa, and died shortly thereafter, said Yohannes Engida, the federation's general secretary. Engida did not provide further details on the cause of death. The athlete was buried on Wednesday in a cemetery in a suburb of Addis Ababa.

Shewarge was a star in the scene. She had won the Stockholm Marathon on May 31. Organizers wrote on Instagram: "Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones."