Abebe Bikila

1932 – 1973

Shambel Abebe Bikila was an Ethiopian marathon runner who at the 1960 Rome Olympics ran—and won—the marathon barefoot, becoming the first athlete from sub-Saharan Africa to win an Olympic gold medal. Four years later in Tokyo he successfully defended his title in shoes and a world-record time, making him the first runner to win consecutive Olympic marathons. After a 1969 car accident left him paraplegic, he competed in archery and table tennis at the 1970 Stoke Mandeville Games.

Last checked: May 10, 2026, 1:06 PM