This week former Olympic runner from Ethiopia who was due to give birth in three weeks collapsed at a Connecticut restaurant and died. Meskerem Legesse, 26, competed professionally in New York running events, was with her 2-year old son when she crumbled on Monday in a Chinese restaurant. The cause of her unexpected death was unclear on Wednesday. According to her friend Fatima Sense, The world-class athlete has suffered from heart problems in the past. “Her doctors saved the baby,” said Sense.
The Hartford Courantm said Legesse died of a heart attack. It was later reported that her heart issues forced her to stop competing. Legesse ran a in the 1,500-meter competition at the Athens Olympics in 2004. She finished 12th in a first-round heat, failing to qualify for the medal race.
Her children are now with their father who she was planning on marrying. Arrangements have been made for her body to be taken back home to Ethiopia.
Fatima Sense said,” She was a good person; she would do anything for anybody.”
