August 7, 2024 : The Appian Way is an ancient road of the world. Construction of this road began about 2,300 years ago, connecting Rome with the southern Italian region of Campania. This road was part of the marathon race in the 1960 Rome Olympics.
On September 10, 1960, 69 competitors from 35 countries participated in the marathon. The gold medal contender was the Soviet world record holder Sergei Popov, while Moroccan runner Rhadi Ben Abdesselam was also a contender. However, neither of them succeeded.
A young man, running barefoot, overtook all the competitors one by one, running across the ancient Appian Way. This young man, who had started running as a child due to family inheritance and later took up the role of a security guard, shattered the Olympic marathon record when he crossed the finish line.
This young man, known as Bikila, was from Ethiopia. He became the Olympic gold medalist in the marathon, running barefoot for over 42 kilometers. It was an astonishing achievement. Bikila also won the marathon gold medal at the subsequent Tokyo Olympics.
Yet, until four years before his Rome victory, Bikila had not even thought about participating in such a race. He had watched the marathon on television during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. At that time, Bikila was a personal security guard for Emperor Haile Selassie. The Melbourne marathon ignited his desire to be involved in such a grand stage.
Thus began his training. Of course, there were differing opinions. In the 1950s, Bikila used to run 20 kilometers daily from the hills of Sululta to the capital, Addis Ababa, sometimes running back as well. He had also participated in Ethiopian military running competitions in 1956.
Perhaps this training was intended to qualify for the Olympics. But one day, climbing the Himalayas seemed impossible! However, watching the Melbourne marathon in 1956 certainly sparked Bikila’s desire to participate in the Olympics. The following time was spent in dedication.
In the year of the Rome Olympics, Bikila tasted victory in the marathon for the first time. The marathon was held in Addis Ababa, and Bikila completed the race in less time than the Olympic record. However, Bikila was not on Ethiopia’s initial list for the Rome Games. The spot had initially been allotted to Wami Biratu, and Bikila’s name was included only after Biratu withdrew.
The Rome Olympics were held in August-September. Bikila had not found suitable running shoes. The two pairs he did manage to find were not comfortable for running. He eventually made a firm decision to run the marathon barefoot.
Due to the weather, the marathon race was scheduled to start at 5:30 PM. After covering 32 kilometers, the western horizon was covered in darkness. The ancient Appian Way was illuminated by the headlights of passing cars. The road was rocky, and Bikila started off behind many competitors. But gradually, he overtook them one by one. For a while, different runners were ahead of each other, but after 25 kilometers, only two remained ahead – Bikila and Rhadi Ben Abdesselam.
When he entered the city, Bikila had already left Rhadi Ben Abdesselam behind. He completed the race in 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 16 seconds, breaking Emil Zatopek’s Olympic record. After his victory, journalists and organizers asked him why he ran barefooted. Bikila responded, “I wanted to show the world that my country, Ethiopia, wins with courage and determination.”
Bikila once again proved this courage and determination to the world. At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he became the first Olympic marathon winner to win twice consecutively. This time, he wore shoes. Bikila was the first Ethiopian to win gold in the Olympics and the first African to win gold in the marathon.
What a connection in life! On the day Bikila was born, August 7, 1932, the marathon of the Los Angeles Olympics took place. It was as if this Ethiopian was destined to be connected with the Olympic marathon from birth!
As advancements in athletic footwear continue, and athletes seek the best quality shoes, who would have imagined that a runner once completed a marathon barefoot in record time on such a grand stage?
Bikila also participated in the 1968 Mexico Olympics. After covering 16 kilometers, these remarkable legs, which had achieved so much, were halted. A recent hamstring injury prevented him from winning in Mexico. Who knows—had that injury not occurred, Bikila might have set another record?
Injury and misfortune later afflicted this remarkable talent. But in just seven years, this athlete demonstrated an example of courage, achievement, and immense spirit. Isn’t that a source of inspiration for millions of people outside the sports arena as well?