Abebe Bikila – Bygone Olmpics
I remember Abebe Bikila winning the 1960 Rome Olympics men’s marathon – barefoot! My image of him is just how slight he was and wondered where the energy came from to do what he was doing. He was the first person to win two Olympic marathons, winning the Tokyo in 1964. In between these two Olympics he got wrapped up in politics and was sentenced to death for a failed coup attempt. He was pardoned by the emperor Haile Selassi. He was later to lose the use of his limbs in a car accident, but joked that he would win the Olympics in a wheelchair and took to archery.
About the Author
Steve Haywood is a personal trainer from Yorkshire – you can find out more about him here.
Hi,
I love the collection of video you have for the “Bygone” Olympics (1960 & 64) Really amazing footage. Being a marathoner, I got completed hooked on Abebe Bikila videos you have in your collection. Then, I started watching all of the other coverage of bygone olympics. Amazing. I could be at this site for hours. Much Love.