Shitaye began the next season indoors, setting a national record for the 3000 metres to take the title at the 2012 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships. She then finished fifth in the final of that event at the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships. Heading outdoors, she won the women's title at the Asian Cross Country Championships, leading a women's sweep of the top three. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, she competed in both the 5000 m and the 10000 m, finishing in 10th place and 6th place respectively, and setting a new national record in the 10000 m.