On September 10, 1960, in the ancient Capitoline Hill arena in Rome, where gladiator battles once took place and the best athletes from around the world gathered, a remarkable scene unfolded. Among hundreds of runners wearing modern tracksuits and specialized running shoes, one athlete stood out for his unusual choice of footwear.
That athlete was Abebe Bikila, a marathon runner from Ethiopia, who, contrary to expectations, started the race barefoot. The spectators and journalists were astonished, asking themselves, “Has he lost his mind? How can he run a marathon without shoes?” But Bikila paid no attention to their surprise. He knew his plan. That day, he wasn’t just running a marathon — he was proving to the world that success in sports doesn’t depend on expensive equipment but on perseverance and self-confidence.
In this article, you will discover some fascinating details about his triumph. And for those who read to the end, Melbet.ng has a special surprise — a promotional code for your initial deposit.
A Story That Might Have Never Happened
Sometimes, fate brings amazing surprises. The story of Abebe Bikila is a testament to this. His participation in the Olympic Games in Rome was never part of his original plans, but things turned out differently.
Ethiopia’s national running team, led by an experienced Swedish coach named Onni Niskanen, initially had other athletes in mind. There were two main contenders: Besha Tekla, who specialized in the marathon and had previously defeated Bikila in military competitions, and Wami Biratu, a talented 10,000-meter runner.
But fate had other plans. Tekla fell ill with pneumonia and was unable to compete, ending his Olympic dreams. And Biratu, in top form, came down with a cold just days before leaving for Rome.
There is one interesting fact about Biratuthat is often misreported in various sources. He was not injured during a football match, as some sources claim. In fact, the incident happened when the Ethiopian national team was traveling to the equipment center, located 50 kilometers away from their training base. All the athletes took a bus, but Biratudecided to run back and forth to the center, thinking it would help him prepare for the Olympics better. Unfortunately, this experiment proved too difficult for his body, and he had to withdraw from the competition. As a result of this unexpected turn of events, those who were originally considered reserves, Abebe Bikila and Abebe Wakjira, went to the Olympics instead. They seemed to have jumped onto the last carriage of a departing train without realizing that this journey would change not only their lives but also the world of sports forever.
Two Athletes, One Experiment: A Marathon Story
The story of Abebe Bikila’s Olympic marathon victory hides interesting details that were overshadowed by his success.
Ethiopian runners Bikila and Wakgira started the race barefoot, as they had no other choice. In interviews after the event, Wakgira revealed that they had to hide in a tent to avoid ridicule from other participants.
Contrary to popular belief, Bikila did not run barefoot due to unsuitable equipment. Coach Onni Niskanen explained that the athletes had thoroughly explored the track in Rome by running 20 kilometers both with and without shoes from different starting points.
The experiments showed an amazing result: runners who ran without shoes increased their pace significantly, taking 5-6 more steps per minute than when they wore sneakers. The decision to run barefoot was made a week before the race, taking into account the late time of the event, which eliminated the problem of hot asphalt. Ethiopian athletes in the Olympic Village also preferred to walk barefoot.
Even Niskanen’s careful plan had one weakness. The coach informed his players about their opponents’ numbers, but the organizers granted the Moroccan runner, For Ben-Abdesselam, the request to use the same number as in the previous race.
Bikila and Ben-Abdesselam competed for gold, but Bikila did not know his rival was Moroccan until the last kilometer, when he made a decisive sprint for victory.
From National Hero To Prisoner of Fate
The return of Bikila to his native Addis Ababa was a true triumph for the entire country. In recognition of his athletic achievements, the emperor bestowed upon him the rank of corporal and the highest honor, the Gold Star. However, the joy of victory proved to be fleeting.
Political unrest in the country gave rise to an attempted coup d’état, and Bikila’s name found itself on the list of conspirators. Despite receiving a death sentence, he managed to escape execution and received a pardon, allowing him to resume his beloved pastime – running.
Four years later, at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Bikila repeated his incredible success. Before the competition, he had undergone a serious operation to remove appendicitis, which made him a less popular player. However, he not only won gold but also set a new world record, improving his time by three minutes. He could have won a third Olympic medal in Mexico City, but a knee injury forced him to retire after only 17 kilometers.
After the Mexican Games, tragedy struck the champion. In a car accident, he lost his ability to move below the waist, changing his life forever. But Bikila didn’t lose his spirit. “Success often comes with challenges,” he said after the accident. “My Olympic victories were a gift from God, and I accept my current situation as part of His plan. The most important thing is to be happy.”
After overcoming new challenges, the athlete mastered table tennis and archery. Sadly, four years after the incident, his life was tragically cut short by a stroke. However, the memory of this great athlete lives on. As one of his peers aptly remarked, “It took thousands of Italian soldiers to conquer Ethiopia, but one Ethiopian was able to conquer Rome.”
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Conclusion
Abebe Bikila is not just an athlete; he is a symbol of human potential to overcome obstacles. His story teaches us that success is not determined by external attributes or technological advancements. The key is to have faith in oneself and be prepared to defy the status quo if you are certain that you are correct.
In a world where technology continues to evolve, Bikila’s journey reminds us of the importance of staying true to oneself and one’s principles. His journey as a barefoot athlete in Rome challenged the notion of what is feasible in sports and demonstrated that sometimes the simplest approach is the most effective.
As the world continues to witness more sophisticated and expensive advancements in sports equipment, it is crucial to remember that some of the greatest innovations come from within ourselves. Abebe Bikila demonstrated that true brilliance can be found in simplicity, and true strength resides in the heart of every athlete.
