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COMMENTARY-last lap commentary (5 sec)
It was freezing cold outside, but at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, immigrant Ethiopians had a lot to party for. The stadium was packed with fans wrapped in the green, yellow, and red national flag. People chanted and danced to Ethiopian folk songs played by a DJ.
AMB- 6 sec- music fans cheering
More than 15,000 Ethiopian immigrants live in the Boston Area. Most of them work in parking garages, restaurants and other blue collar jobs. Teshome Demellash is an Ethiopian who has lived in Boston for 20 years. He says the community struggles with issues of low wages and family separation among others, but on race day they are all winners.
AX Teshome Demellash (12 sec)
It is always great because our athletes, from our country, are always here and winning and inspiring us once again. We always wish to win in some other aspects of your society as well.
The community to a certain extent is politically and tribally divided. But on race day, they all have one voice.
AMB: 3sec fans encouraging
AX Teshome Demellash (13 sec)
through church, through sport, thought all kinds of activities we always try to connect and cherish our victories and share our sorrows and think about our beloved motherland Ethiopia.
AMB 4 sec- fading - backup if it is short- if not will go out
AX-Teshome Demellash (8sec)
Tonight, there is going to be a big bash band going all night long, it is in their honor as well. All of us are going to be there, honoring them, appreciating what they did.
Parents in the community also use this opportunity to introduce their kids that were born and raised in America, with Ethiopian culture. Among the crowd was 7-year-old Lidya Tesfaye, a second generation Ethiopian. She came to watch the race with her father. He wants her to develop an Ethiopian identity.
Ax Lidya (11 sec)
I have seen the runners and I get happy. Ethiopian runners are better than American that is because Ethiopian has more blood and energy…to run.
More blood or perseverance…record or no record, long distance running events have become an important social occasion in this immigrant Ethiopian community in Boston. People are waiting for another race to forget the ordeals of life and put a smile on their difficult life in exile.