Biography of Abebe Bikila

What ran without shoes

7 August 1932 25 October 1973 the name is Abebe Bikila and the surname is, but the Ethiopian rule for which you are appointed before the last name and then first name, shows this character throughout the world as "Abebe Bikila. Was born on August 7, 1932 to Jato, distant village nine kilometers from Mendida, Ethiopia; on the same day that comes to light, in La you are rushing the Olympic Marathon. Son of a pastor, before he became a national hero for his sporting achievements, his profession was that of a police officer, as well as personal bodyguard of the Emperor Haile Selassie; profession that decide to undertake in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, to earn some money and support the family. Remains a legend in sports since the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome he won running barefoot marathon race. It's the 10 September: Abebe finds himself to be in Ethiopian Wami Biratu national under-23 replacing injured shortly before departure during a football game. The shoes are comfortable, not provided by the sponsor as two hours before the race decides to run barefoot. Competitive athletics had started with only four years earlier, coached by Swedish Onni Niskanen. The path of the Rome marathon exceeds the custom which wanted the start and the finish inside the Olympic Stadium. On the eve of the race were very few those who had favored names despite the Abebe Bikila etipe he did score a remarkable time in the days before. Wearing the Green Jersey number 11, hires a challenge against a ghost: Abebe wants to keep an eye on competitor number 26, the Moroccan Rhadi Ben Abdesselam, which takes off with 185. Bikila remains between head and not finding the opponent thinks he is ahead. Will ultimately be the Ethiopian winner. After the race, when asked the reason for his decision to run barefoot, will be able to declare: "I wanted the world to know that my country, Ethiopia, has always won with determination and heroism." Four years later, Abebe Bikila shows up at summer Olympics (Tokyo 1964) under conditions of optimal shape: just six weeks before had undergone a surgical operation to the Appendix and the time devoted to training was very low. Despite this unfortunate circumstance he is the athlete who crosses the finish line first and he will wear the neck the gold medal. On this occasion he competes with shoes and sets a world best time over the distance. In the history of this exhausting discipline, Abebe Bikila was the first athlete ever to have won the Olympic Marathon twice in a row. 1968 Olympic Games, held in Mexico City, aged 36 Ethiopian must undergo and withstand several handicap, due to the altitude, the accidents and generally advanced age by now. Will withdraw from the race before reaching the finish line. In career runs fifteen marathons, winning twelve (two retreats and a fifth place in Boston, in May 1963). The following year, in 1969, remains the victim of an automobile accident near Addis Ababa: remains paralyzed from the chest down. Despite treatment and international interest fail to walk anymore. He had always loved sport alternating in various disciplines, including soccer, tennis, and basketball. Unable to use limbs do not lose the strength to continue to compete: archery, ping-pong, even in a race of sleighs (in Norway). Abebe Bikila died due to a brain haemorrhage at the age of forty-one years old, on October 25, 1973. The National Stadium in Addis Ababa will be dedicated to him.

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