Gelete Burka running in the women's 1500m final before her fall (Photo- IAAF)

He may not have signature dance moves or have a larger-than-life personality, but Ethiopian distance running star Kenenisa Bekele showed his more sensitive side at an unusual setting recently.

The world 5000m and 10000m double champion had just won the shorter event at the Olympiastadion and was doing interviews with the press in the mixed zone when he got excited in the middle of an interview and started screaming sympathetic remarks to Ethiopian 1500m runner Gelete Burka, who was floored by Spaniard Nathalie Rodriguez in the women's 1500m final a few minutes earlier.

Fortunately, the whole incident was captured by cameras and linked to video sharing websites like youtube.com for a global audience. Ethiopian bloggers and search engines have relabelled the video clip "Ayzosh Gelete" meaning "Come on Gelete, dont be sad."  

"It really was sad that this had to happen to Gelete," he said. "I just couldnt control myself because I knew that it would be upsetting to her."

At the time of the interview, Kenenisa had not seen the famous video sharing my thousands around the world, but says a friend had told about him. "I did not know about that," he said. "Anyone with a brain will feel sorry for her. I know that Gelete was in great shape and thought she would win the race. The Spanish girl pushed her down unfairly. It really is depressing."