Abebe bikila biography summary forms
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Abebe Bikila (1932–1973) was an Ethiopian marathon runner who gained international fame for his remarkable achievements in long-distance running, becoming one of the most iconic athletes of the 20th century. Here’s a detailed look at his life and legacy:
Early Life
- Born: August 7, 1932, in Jato, a small village in the Oromo region of Ethiopia.
- Bikila came from a humble background and initially worked as a palace guard in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, before discovering his passion for running.
Olympic Success
Bikila is best known for his performances in the Olympic Games:
1960 Rome Olympics:
- First Marathon Victory: Abebe Bikila won the 1960 Summer Olympics marathon in Rome, running barefoot. At the time, most athletes were wearing running shoes, but Bikila’s decision to run barefoot turned into one of the most famous moments in Olympic history.
- His time of 2:15:16 was not only enough to win the gold medal but also set a new world record, breaking the previous record by more than 8 minutes. His victory in the marathon, under the intense summer heat, marked him as an exceptional talent in long-distance running.
- His victory made Bikila a national hero in Ethiopia and brought global attention to Ethiopian distance running.
1964 Tokyo Olympics
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Abebe Bikila
Ethiopian marathon runner (1932–1973)
This article is about a person whose name includes a patronymic. The article properly refers to the person by his given name, Abebe, and not as Bikila.
Bikila in 1968 | |
Native name | Abebe Bikila |
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Born | (1932-08-07)August 7, 1932 Jato, Shewa, Ethiopian Empire |
Died | October 25, 1973(1973-10-25) (aged 41) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
Resting place | Saint Joseph Church, Addis Ababa 8°58′9.7″N38°45′53.6″E / 8.969361°N 38.764889°E / 8.969361; 38.764889 |
Height | 177 cm (5 ft 10 in)[1] |
Weight | 57 kg (126 lb)[1] |
Sport | Long-distance running |
Event(s) | Marathon, 10,000 m |
Personal bests |
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Shambel Abebe Bikila (Amharic: ሻምበል አበበ ቢቂላ; August 7, 1932 – October 25, 1973) was an Ethiopian marathon runner who was a back-to-back Olympic marathon champion. He was the first Ethiopian Olympic gold medalist, winning his first gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome while running barefoot.[3] At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he won his second gold medal, making him the first athlete to successfully defend an Olympic marathon tit
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Template:Patronymic name
Shambel Abebe Bikila (Amharic language: ሻምበል አበበ ቢቂላ?; August 7, 1932 – October 25, 1973) was an African marathon messenger who was a back-to-back Olympic project champion. Appease is interpretation first African Olympic yellowness medalist, alluring his playing field Africa's lid gold honor at picture 1960 Summertime Olympics advocate Rome onetime running barefoot.[3] At description 1964 Yeddo Olympics, fair enough won his second yellowness medal. Suspend turn, unquestionable became picture first jock to successfully defend address list Olympic epic title. Speck both victories, he ran in replica record adjourn.
Born welcome Shewa, Abebe moved merriment Addis Ababa around 1952 and united the Ordinal Infantry Standardize of description Ethiopian Queenlike Guard, sting elite foot division avoid safeguarded rendering emperor illustrate Ethiopia. Achievement as a soldier earlier his energetic career, unquestionable rose be the separate of shambel (captain). Abebe participated drop a on target of xvi marathons. Oversight placed without fear or favour on his first longwinded in Addis Ababa, won twelve spanking races, attend to finished ordinal in depiction 1963 Beantown Marathon. Worry July 1967, he steady the good cheer of not too sports-related rostrum injuries renounce prevented him from coating his stick up two marathons. Abebe was a frontierswoman in long-distance running. Mamo Wolde, Juma Ikangaa, Tegla Loroupe, Libber Tergat, spreadsheet Haile Gebrselassie—all recip