Spain's Prince of Asturias Foundation yesterday awarded Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie its annual sports prize, praising his work on and off the track.

The 38-year-old is one of the world's most successful long-distance runners, a master at 10,000 metres who later went on to set the marathon world record.

He won Olympic gold medals at 10,000 metres in Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000. He also won four straight world titles at the same distance and set various track records before turning to road racing later in his career.

“Considered the best long-distance runner of all time, Gebrselassie is an extraordinary example of sacrifice and achievement that has placed him at the top of the sporting elite,” the foundation said in a statement.

It also highlighted Gebrselassie's involvement in humanitarian projects and his mediation in conflicts in Ethiopia.

“His commitment to peace and understanding through sport and his humanitarian and social work in Ethiopia has made him an ethical reference point for a generation for athletes throughout the world,” the foundation said.

In 2008, aged 35, Gebrselassie became the first athlete to run the marathon in less than 2 hours, 4 minutes, setting the standing world record.

He flirted with retirement in 2010 after dropping out of the New York marathon.

Given his age, next summer's Olympic Games could be his final competition, if he decides to compete.

Born in Asella, Ethiopia, on 18 April, 1973, he was one of 10 siblings. The Asturias foundation said that as a child he used to run some 20 kilometres to school.

The sports award is one of eight Asturias prizes granted each year in categories including arts, literature, communications and scientific research.

The prizes are among Spain's most prestigious and are presented by Crown Prince Felipe each autumn in the northern city of Oviedo, capital of the Asturias region.

The sports award is awarded to the person, persons or organization which “besides being exemplary in their life and work, has achieved new goals in humanity's struggle to excel and with their effort has contributed in an extraordinary way to the perfecting, nurturing, promotion and spread of sports.”

Last year's winner was Spain's World Cup-winning football team.