ABEBE BIKILA

Abebe Bikila

Abebe Bikila

Introduction

Abebe Bikila was born in 1932 in a town called Jato, about 130 km from the capital of Ethiopia. According to the tradition of his race, he spent most of his childhood herding cattle, activity alternated with the school. By the age of 12 years had completed primary education. In 1952, at the age of 20, Abebe was able to join as a recruit in the Imperial Guard Corps, who were responsible for providing security to the Emperor (Moore, 2009). A typical day, while standing guard at the palace, watched a parade of Ethiopian athletes who had just participated in the Olympic Games in Melbourne. These athletes were named "Ethiopia" written on the back of his sports uniform, and when he knew who had represented his country in the world's largest athletic event, did not think twice.

At the age of 24, Abebe participated in the championship of the national armed forces. The sports hero in his country that time was Wami Biratu, who was national records in the 5000 and 10000 m. Along with this great athlete ran his first marathon, and the crowd in the stadium, expected to see Biratu reaching the finish line as winner. In fact, in the first few kilometers, Wami was leading Biratu, but shortly after, the radio informed the crowd that a young athlete unknown, the name of Abebe Bikila was the new leader. Abebe was how he won his first major race and later set out to break the record in the 5000 and 10000 meters, which was hitherto held Biratu (Benyo & Henderson, 2002). With these impressive results, Abebe qualified automatically for the Rome Olympics of 1964. He had realized his fondest dream, that of wearing a track suit with the name of your country on the back.

Discussion

Bikila was the son of a humble goat herder and not read until age 14. At age 20, joined the Haile Selassie's Imperial Guard like so many other young Ethiopians who were seeking a livelihood. Until then, young Abebe had run only sporadically, but have that one day he saw a group of men running with T-shirts with the word written on the back Ethiopia, when told that these athletes were part of the national team, he knew which was his destiny.

Abebe Bikila was the first black African to win an Olympic gold and he changed the face of distance running forever. But his glittering career and life were to end in a tragic way. To date, the Running Icons Hall of Fame has been populated with a crowd as prestigious as it is varied. From the inspiration of Chris Brasher and Dave Bedford (Denison, 2004), to the controlled acceleration of Steve Ovett and the raw, extraordinary pace of Michael Johnson, everything that is great about running is, month by month, being revealed.

There is as yet, however, a huge gap in our list - a race of distance runners who have dominated the world stage for the previous ...