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Biography of Abebe Bikila
Name: Abebe Bikila
Birth Date: August 7, 1932
Death Date: October 25, 1973
Place of Birth: Ethiopia
Nationality: Ethiopian
Gender: Male
Occupations: marathon runner, soldier
Abebe Bikila
Ethiopian track and field athlete, Abebe Bikila (1932-1973), was the first black African to win an Olympic medal, and the first man ever to win two Olympic marathons. Known for his grace and stamina, he was considered the most perfect example of a naturally talented distance runner.Abebe Bikila, the son of a shepherd, did not begin running until he was 24 years old. Bikila was born in the mountains of Ethiopia. When he was old enough, Bikila became a private in the army and bodyguard of Haile Selassie, the emperor of Ethiopia. As part of his training, he was sent to a camp that the government had set up after World War II. At the camp, Swedish coach, Onni Niskanen recognized that Bikila had exceptional talent in running. In the 6,000-foot high mountains, he led Bikila and the others through grueling workouts. Runs of up to twenty miles and repeated sprints …showed first 150 words…
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…showed last 150 words…Tracks: The History of Distance Running, Bikila talked about his automobile accident in a 1983 interview. He said, "Men of success meet with tragedy. It was the will of God that I won the Olympics, and it was the will of God that I met with my accident. I accepted those victories as I accept this tragedy. I have to accept both circumstances as facts of life and live happily."In 1973, Bikila died from a brain hemorrhage. He was 41 years old and left a wife and four children. His career included fifteen marathon races, with twelve victories. After his death, Haile Selassie proclaimed a national day of mourning; 65,000 people attended the funeral. Further Reading Benyo, Richard, The Masters of the Marathon, Atheneum, 1983.Krise, Raymond, and Bill Squires, Fast Tracks: The History of Distance Running, Stephen Greene Press, 1983.Lovett, Charlie, Olympic Marathon: A Centennial History of the Games' Most Storied Race, Praeger, 1997.
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