The HAWI Management Story
as originally shared by Merhawi Keflezighi after the Paris Games
click here for the full, original post on LinkedIn
Most athletes have an Olympic dream or journey. I like to say that every coach, fan, administrator, volunteer and in my case fan and agent, also has an Olympic journey. We should always remember that it is the Olympians and Olympic hopefuls who are at the core of giving us these experiences and stories that make up our most memorable Olympic moments. After 25 days in the beautiful city of Paris (luckily my wife and kids joined me for about 15 of these days), I am fortunate to reflect on my own decades long Olympic journey: as a fan, family member, supporter, and now as an agent.
My Olympic journey began over 30 years ago when I tuned in for my very first Games. The iconic torch lighting as part of the Opening Ceremony in Barcelona in 1992. It is my first Olympic memory. Of course, this was also the year of the Dream Team, and the amazing USA gymnastics team, so I watched highlights of games and competitions beyond the Opening Ceremonies. Four years later, in 1996, my brother Meb had a realistic chance at pursuing the Olympic Games in Atlanta, as he was beginning his rise in running while competing for UCLA. At that time, I really began to feel the allure of the Olympics- the pinnacle of sport. The Olympics were in Atlanta that year, and I truly loved watching the Olympic events, especially track and field, and the amazing life stories that NBC shared about the athlete journeys to the Olympics.
As a sophomore in high school, I recall thinking and probably assuming that being in the Olympics meant that you would be financially set for life, and by extension, my rationale was that if Meb made the Olympics, WE would be set for life. At this time, my family had been in the USA for less than 10 years, and while my older siblings were in college, the rest of our family lived in a small 3-bedroom apartment in a low-income housing complex in San Diego. I hoped that Meb's athletic accomplishments and potential would lift us from our current financial status. I didn’t share that expectation or hope with Meb, but I definitely held that hope in my heart. And sometimes, even if the hope is not 100% realistic, the audacity of hope and the possibility of progress makes dreams and new realities worth pursuing wholeheartedly.
When Meb made his first Olympic team in 2000, I was a sophomore at UCLA, and it was the first time I would have the opportunity to witness the Olympics in person. During those Games, Budweiser had a program to pay for family members of Olympians who would otherwise not be able to afford travel and accommodations to attend. With thanks for their support, my parents were able to watch Meb in his first Olympics in Sydney, Australia. I would be remiss if I did not mention my own supporters who helped get me there. My close friend Mike Vu, and his close friend Shinu paid for my flight to watch my big brother run in the Olympic Games. They were working in Sydney during the Olympics, and they couldn’t imagine me not being there to watch my brother compete at the Olympics. I guess you can say they were my first Olympic sponsors. My oldest brother Fitsum, who had recently started working as an electrical engineer at National Semiconductor, now Texas Instruments, was able to pay his own way. Our great family friend and my amazing mentor Ron Lebow joined us in Sydney also.
At that time, I assumed everyone who went to the Olympics went to watch a family member or friend (as that was my reality). When we were watching Meb in the 10k prelims, we had shirts on that said "Let's Go Meb" and everyone in our section was fascinated that we actually knew an Olympian. From the simple connection of sitting near us in the stadium, in very short order, everyone in our section also became fans of Meb. Every time he ran past us, we all began chanting “Let’s Go Meb!” At that point, I learned a lesson that has been helpful throughout my career as an agent: people just want or maybe NEED someone to cheer for. It doesn’t take a lot to have someone become a fan, and it is usually not based purely on their personal bests or likelihood they will win a medal. It is more about the connection that we feel with an athlete and the athlete’s journey that makes us fans.
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Our commitment to integrity and excellence has allowed us to build strong relationships with sponsors, brands, and event organizers, helping athletes create a lasting impact both on and off the track.
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Merhawi Keflezighi
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Business Development
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HAWI Management is a leader in prioritizing athlete outcomes through five pillars of excellence.
LOYALTY
We work with big sponsors and meets, not for them. We put our clients first.
CREATIVITY
There are many ways for athletes thrive. We help create those lanes.
ADVOCACY
We advocate for your best interests, gathering information and insights to help you make informed decisions throughout your career.
TRANSPARENCY
We have a transparent representation process so you know all aspects related to your contract, payments, and reductions.
DIVERSIFICATION
We maintain relationships with an array of brands to diversify your income. HAWI Management has current deals with over ten footwear and apparel companies and numerous other sponsors.
