What will you learn from this book
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Abebe Bikila's Remarkable Journey: The book chronicles the extraordinary life of Abebe Bikila, highlighting his rise from humble beginnings to becoming a marathon champion.
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Barefoot Running: Bikila's iconic barefoot running style, which he used to win the 1960 Rome Olympics marathon, is a central theme in the book, showcasing his natural talent and determination.
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Athletic Prowess: Rambali delves into Bikila's athletic prowess, discussing his training regimen, physical endurance, and mental fortitude that contributed to his success in marathon running.
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Historical Context: The book provides historical context, exploring Bikila's achievements within the broader context of Ethiopian history, culture, and the African athletic scene of the time.
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Olympic Triumph: A key takeaway is Bikila's historic victory at the 1960 Rome Olympics, where he became the first African to win a gold medal in the marathon event.
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Inspirational Story: Bikila's story serves as an inspiration, especially for athletes and individuals facing adversity, showcasing the power of resilience, discipline, and passion.
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Cultural Impact: Rambali discusses Bikila's impact on Ethiopian and African culture, as well as his influence on the sport of marathon running globally.
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Challenges and Setbacks: The book also delves into the challenges and setbacks Bikila faced, including injuries and personal struggles, highlighting his ability to overcome adversity.
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Legacy: Bikila's legacy as a sporting legend and a symbol of African excellence is a recurring theme, emphasizing his lasting impact on the world of athletics.
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Humanizing the Champion: Through personal anecdotes, interviews, and insights, Rambali humanizes Bikila, offering readers a deeper understanding of the man behind the athletic achievements.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10 | 1852429046 |
| ISBN-13 | 9781852429041 |
| No of pages | 320 |
| Font Size | Medium |
| Book Publisher | Serpent Tail |
| Published Date | 18 Sep 2006 |
About Author
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Abebe Bikila was the first black African to win an Olympic gold medal. He won the marathon running barefoot in Rome in 1960 and won again wearing shoes in Tokyo in 1964, becoming the first person to win the most gruelling of all human contests twice. Born into bitter poverty in rural Ethiopia in 1932, at sixteen Bikila joined the Imperial Guard of the Emperor Haile Selassie. It was there that he came to the notice of the Swedish athletics coach Onni Niskanen, whom Selassie had engaged to try and raise his country?s profile through sport.
Bikila became the focus of these ambitions ? and an unwitting figurehead for black African nationalism. Following the 1960 Olympics, Bikila?s life took a dramatic turn when he was implicated in a failed coup against Selassie. Bikila was initially sentenced to death but was eventually pardoned following Niskanen?s intervention. Despite an attack of appendicitis, Bikila recovered in time to win the Olympic marathon once again. Bikila died in 1973.