Abebe Bikila

thumb|Abebe Bikila Shambel Abebe Bikila (August 7, 1932 – October 25, 1973) was an Ethiopian marathon runner who was a back-to-back Olympic marathon champion. He was the first Ethiopian Olympic gold medalist, winning his first gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome while running barefoot. At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he won his second gold medal, making him the first athlete to successfully defend an Olympic marathon title. In both victories, he ran in world record time. Quotes I wanted the world to know that my country Ethiopia has always won with determination and heroism. I have accepted these victories as I accept this tragedy. I must embrace both circumstances as facts of life and find happiness. Abebe Bikile, n.d Men of success meet with tragedy. It was the will of God that I won the Olympics, and it was the will of God that I met with my accident. I accepted those victories as I accepted this tragedy. I have to accept both circumstances as facts of life and live happily. Biography, nd External Links Category:1932 births Category:1973 deaths Category:Sportspeople from Ethiopia Category:Track and field athletes Category:Marathon runners