Abebe Bikila: The Barefoot Champion Who Changed Running Forever

Abebe Bikila’s journey to Olympic greatness was anything but ordinary. Raised as the son of a shepherd in rural Ethiopia, he was working as a bodyguard for the Ethiopian royal family when a coach noticed his natural athletic talent.

Once he began training, it was clear he had something special.

Still, his selection for the Olympic team came as a surprise and the surprises didn’t stop there.

When he arrived in Rome for the 1960 Games, there were no running shoes that fit him properly.

He tried one ill-fitting pair but quickly abandoned them. On the day of the marathon, he made the bold decision to race barefoot, just as he had trained back home.

Before the race, Bikila’s coach advised him to keep an eye on a strong Moroccan contender, Rhadi Ben Abdesselam, who was expected to wear bib number 26.

But Rhadi actually wore number 185. This mix-up led Bikila to keep scanning the pack for runner 26, even as Rhadi ran right beside him.

The marathon itself was unique it began in the late afternoon and finished under the cover of night.

There was no grand finish in the Olympic stadium, but the drama on the streets of Rome was unforgettable.

Bikila and Rhadi ran stride for stride until the final 500 meters, when the Ethiopian surged ahead with an electrifying sprint.

He crossed the finish line 25 seconds in front, not only winning gold but setting a new world record.

When asked why he ran barefoot, Bikila simply said, “I wanted the world to know that my country, Ethiopia, has always won with determination and heroism.”

His victory was historic. Bikila became the first sub-Saharan African to win an Olympic gold medal, inspiring generations of African distance runners.

Even more remarkably, he defended his title four years later just weeks after undergoing surgery for appendicitis cementing his place as one of the all-time greats.

Want to dive deeper into Bikila’s incredible life?

There’s an excellent book titled Barefoot Runner: The Life of Marathon Champion Abebe Bikila by Paul Rambali, available in paperback.

This biography explores Bikila’s rise from rural Ethiopia to Olympic glory, the cultural and political backdrop of his era, and the legacy he left behind.

It’s a powerful and moving story of resilience, pride, and unshakable spirit perfect for any runner or sports history enthusiast.

You can find it now on Amazon here.