Swiss sportswear brand On has signed elite distance runner Freweyni Hailu to its growing team of world-class athletes.
On, founded in the Swiss Alps in 2010 with the aims to ignite the human spirit through movement, provides innovative premium footwear, apparel and accessories for running, outdoor activities, training and tennis.
The 24-year-old Ethiopian has established herself as a dominant force in global athletics, with multiple championship titles and Diamond League victories.
Hailu made a successful On debut at the Grand Slam Track league in Miami. Racing as one of the challengers in the women’s short distance category, she won the 1500m race in 4:06.96 and, after finishing third in the 800m in 1:59.84, claimed the overall Slam title for the Miami meet.
From Werie Lehe in the Tigray Region, Freweyni Hailu is the seventh child in her family. She started running in the Weri Lekhi project, and after showing promise, was selected for the Mesfin Industrial Engineering Club. Her talent led to selection for the Ethiopian national team, starting in 2018 at the youth level.
She’s the reigning World indoor champion in the women’s 3000m (Nanjing, China), and also won gold in the 1500m at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow.
Her remarkable achievements mark her as the first Ethiopian athlete to win three medals in three different disciplines at the World Indoor Championships, having also secured a silver medal in the 800m in Belgrade in 2022.
Hailu has excelled outdoors too, securing five Diamond League victories, including wins in the 1500m in Doha (2024), Stockholm and Xiamen (2023), and Lausanne (2021).
Her versatility extends to the roads, where she earned a silver medal in the Mile at the World Road Running Championships in Riga in 2023. She also finished 4th in the 1500m at both the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and 2022 World Outdoor Championships.
“For me, it’s important to partner with a brand that shares my dedication and passion for running, and with On I’ve found that partner,” said Hailu of her decision to join On. “There’s a real energy and focus on helping athletes be their best. I’m excited to train and compete with their support.”
Athlete Manager for On, Niklas Bühner, welcomed Freweyni Hailu with open arms to the team that included other notable African athletes such as Hellen Obiri, Tsigie Gebreselama and Telahun Haile Bekele.
“We are incredibly proud to have a double world indoor champion like Freweyni join the On Team,” said Bühner.
“Her incredible talent, demonstrated by her World Indoor Championship wins and consistent high-level performances, aligns perfectly with On’s commitment to innovation and supporting athletes in reaching their full potential.”
On’s star-studded African roster
- Hellen Obiri, KEN
- Sutume Assefa Kebede, ETH
- Tsigie Gebreselama, ETH
- Telahun Haile Bekele, ETH
- Oscar Chelimo, UGA
- Mohamed Amin Jhinaoui, TUN
- Egide Ntakarutimana, BUR
- Francine Niyomukunzi, BUR
- Sinta Vissa, ETH
- Athanas Kioko, KEN
- Bendere Oboya, AUS (Born in Ethiopia)
- Yohanes Chiappinelli, ITA (Born in Ethiopia)
- Samuel Fitwi, GER (Born in Eritrea)
- Zerei Kbrom Mezngi, NOR (Born in Eritrea)
- Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu, SWI (Born in South Sudan)
- Filimon Abraham, GER (Born in Ethiopia)
- Yeman Crippa, ITA (Born in Ethiopia)
- Ditaji Kambundji, SUI (Congolese Dad)
- Yared Nuguse, USA (Ethiopian parents)
- Helen Bekele Tola, SUI (Ethiopian roots)
- Dorian Keletela (Congolese Refugee Athlete)
- Jamal Abdelmaji Eisa Mohammed (Refugee Athlete)
