Abebe Bikila

7 August 1932 – 25 October 1973

Abebe Bikila was an Ethiopian marathon runner and member of the Imperial Bodyguard who became the first athlete from sub-Saharan Africa to win an Olympic gold medal. He won the marathon at the 1960 Rome Olympics running barefoot, and successfully defended the title in Tokyo in 1964, becoming the first person to win two Olympic marathons. A car accident in 1969 left him paraplegic, and he died four years later.

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Life events

Born in Jato, Shewa province, Ethiopia
7 August 1932
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Joined the Ethiopian Imperial Bodyguard in Addis Ababa
c. 1952

Enlisted in the emperor's guard, where he later began competitive running.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Won the Olympic marathon in Rome running barefoot
10 September 1960

Set a world best of 2:15:16 and became the first Black African Olympic champion.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Underwent an appendectomy weeks before the Tokyo Olympics
September 1964

He resumed training soon after the operation.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Personal ✓
Retained the Olympic marathon title in Tokyo
21 October 1964

Won in a world best of 2:12:11, the first runner to take two Olympic marathon golds.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Withdrew from the Olympic marathon in Mexico City
20 October 1968

Stopped partway through the race because of a leg injury.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Paralysed in a car accident near Addis Ababa
22 March 1969

A crash left him with a spinal injury and permanent paraplegia.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Personal ✓
Competed in archery at the Stoke Mandeville Games
1970

Took part in wheelchair sport in England after his injury.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died in Addis Ababa
25 October 1973

Died of a cerebral haemorrhage related to his accident injuries, aged 41.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓