Abebe Bikila - Olympic Marathon Champion, Life Achievements and Facts
Abebe Bikila's Personal Details
Abebe Bikila was a prominent Olympic marathon champion from Ethiopia
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | August 7, 1932 |
| Died on | October 25, 1973 |
| Nationality | Ethiopian |
| Famous | Sportspersons, Marathon Runners, Athletes, Olympic Marathon Champion |
| Birth Place | Ethiopia |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Leo |
| Born in | Ethiopia |
| Famous as | Olympic marathon champion |
| Died at Age | 41 |
Abebe Bikila's photo
Who is Abebe Bikila?
Abebe Bikila was a well-known Olympic marathon champion who participated in 15 marathons, winning 12 of them. His successes and wins made him one of the greatest marathoners in the world. He is also the first man to win Olympics marathon twice and the first black man from Ethiopia to win an Olympics medal. He also participated in International Paraplegic Games in Norway as a paraplegic after facing a car accident. The story of his life was a source of inspiration for many people.
// Famous Marathon Runners
Satcha Pretto
SatchaPretto is an Emmy award-winning journalist for the largest Spanish-language television channel in the United States. To know more about her childhood, career, profile and timeline read on the following biography
Emil Zatopek
Emil Zatopek was an accomplished, world record breaking long distance runner. Read this biography to learn more about his childhood, profile, life and timeline.
Terry Fox
Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete who became a national hero by embarking on a marathon to raise funds for cancer research. Read on to find out more about his childhood, career, profile and timeline.
Childhood & Early Life
Born to a poor family, Abebe Bikila was the son of a shepherd and was raised in a village called Jato.
To support his family, young Bikila joined the Imperial Bodyguard Squad of the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie.
His life took a turn when Swedish Coach, Onni Niskanen recognized Bikila’s athletic talent when he was sent to a government camp.
Abebe Bikila began to prepare for the Olympics when he was 24 years old.
Career
In 1958, Bikila entered the National Armed Forces Championship marathon competition, won it and qualified to enter the Rome Olympic Games in 1960.
A barefooted Bikila won the Olympic marathon in 2 hours, 15 minutes and 16.2 seconds, making his country proud.
In 1964, he participated in the Japan Olympics, even though he had not recovered from his appendicitis surgery, and won a medal for his country, setting a world record as the first man to win double-Olympics marathon.
After his car accident in 1969, Bikila became quadriplegic but his love for sports did not falter.
As a paraplegic athlete, he competed in the International Paraplegic Games in Norway and many other such events.
Awards & Achievements
Abebe Bikila was the first African to win the Olympic marathon gold medal and is known as the first athlete to win two Olympic gold medals in marathon.
He participated in fifteen marathons in his lifetime including the Olympics and Ethiopian marathons.
Olympic gold medal in 1960 Rome Summer Games.
A second Olympics gold medal in the 1964Tokyo Olympics.
Winner of many other marathons including the marathon in Kosice, Zarauz, South Korea, Otsu and the 20,000 meters marathon in Copenhagen.
Personal Life & Legacy
Bikila was married to Yewubdar, with whom he had four children.
Abebe Bikila was paralyzed after a car accident in 1969.
He was treated for eight months at the Stoke Mandeville hospital in England before he returned.
He was unable to participate in any marathons after this accidents but his love for sports did not falter.
He continued to participate in games including the Paraplegic Sport Competition in England and the International Paraplegic Games in Norway despite his poor physical condition.
His willpower made him a great Olympic hero as well as an inspiration for his country and the rest of the world.
Abebe Bikila passed away on October 25, 1973, owing to complications of the 1969 car accident that had also caused a parallel cerebral hemorrhage.
As a tribute to Abebe Bikila, Siraj Gena ran barefoot for the last three hundred meters of the Abebe Bikila’s Olympics Race in 2010 and won the same.
The Yaya Abebe Bikila Primary Village School was established by the Mendida community and a stadium is named in his honor in Addis Ababa.
// Famous Athletes
Sebastian Coe
Sebastian Coe is a British former track and field athlete turned politician. This biography of Sebastian Coe provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Fatima Whitbread
Fatima Whitbread is a British former javelin thrower who is a two-time Olympic medalist. This biography of Fatima Whitbread provides detailed information about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Hadi Saei
Hadi Saei Bonehkohal is a former Iranian taekwondo athlete who has won 2 Olympic gold medals for his country. This biography profiles his childhood, life, taekwondo career, achievements and timeline.
Abebe Bikila biography timelines
- // 7th Aug 1932Born to a poor family, Abebe Bikila was the son of a shepherd and was raised in a village called Jato.
// Famous Sportspersons
Ted Williams
Ted Williams was an American baseball player. Read this biography to learn more about his profile, childhood, life and timeline.
Jürgen Klopp
Jürgen Klopp is a German football manager, and a former professional football player. Check out this biography to know more about his childhood, family, personal life, etc.
Yao Ming
Yao Ming is a retired Chinese basketball player who played for Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Brock Lesnar
Brock Edward Lesnar is a popular American wrestler, American football player, as well as a martial artist. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.
Brandon Burlsworth
Brandon Burlsworth was a football player who played for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Whitney Bjerken
Check out all that you wanted to know about Whitney Bjerken, the famous gymnast & YouTuber; her birthday, her family and personal life, fun trivia facts and more.
Abebe Bikila's FAQ
What is Abebe Bikila birthday?
Abebe Bikila was born at 1932-08-07
When was Abebe Bikila died?
Abebe Bikila was died at 1973-10-25
Where was Abebe Bikila died?
Abebe Bikila was died in Addis Ababa
Which age was Abebe Bikila died?
Abebe Bikila was died at age 41
Where is Abebe Bikila's birth place?
Abebe Bikila was born in Ethiopia
What is Abebe Bikila nationalities?
Abebe Bikila's nationalities is Ethiopian
What is Abebe Bikila's sun sign?
Abebe Bikila is Leo
How famous is Abebe Bikila?
Abebe Bikila is famouse as Olympic marathon champion