The marathon king who changed the Olympics forever - BBC Africa

From serving Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia to becoming a marathon legend, Abebe Bikila made history as the first black African man to win an Olympic gold medal. He was also the first athlete to defend a marathon Olympic title. After years running at the top of his game, he suffered life changing injuries leaving him unable to walk. But he picked himself up and competed and won in competitions for disabled athletes. World famous while he was alive, he has inspired generations of athletes, but his incredible story has been forgotten by many outside of his home country.
#AbebeBikila #olympicgames2024 #ethiopia
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[@judyowiso5468]

Africa ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉

[@marsi5845]

I am Black, I am African and proudly Ethiopian.

[@አሚድያAMEDIA]

incredible man !!!!

[@ucan1]

Thanks for putting Ethiopia on the map back then😊 May the soul of Abebe Bikila continue to RIP🙏

[@DanPiter-nb4uh]

Our Legend is forever in our heart!!!!!!! RIP our Hero!!!!!!

[@hailuamanuel2249]

True Legend

[@Firstlast-gp2eq]

such an inspiring story from humble beginnings to back to back olympic gold medalist. a hero of ethiopia and africa indeed

[@mohamb3785d]

My eyes are teary after hearing about this incredible man, what a great life story where he never gave up despite all the setbacks, a tragic end 😢. Love from somalia.

[@amanuelchorito]

A story that never ages.

[@norbetoch]

What a legend! What a warrior !

[@cherutesso9994]

Abebe Bikila our legend !!!

[@abebegebrekirstos4454]

The best ever Athlete of any sport!!!the GOAT!!! every time I see a slowmo of his runs just bring tears to my eye

[@Mercy-x8o]

As an Ethiopian , I Can't Tell U How Proud I Am… Ethiopia Is The Cradle Of.Man Kind ❤❤

[@QualityEducationForU]

ብቻውን ሮምን የወረረ ጀግና! A hero who invaded Rome alone! a true son of Africa! you will always be remembered! 

[@madreks253]

Ethiopia land of my ancestors! Black African Man is King. Thanks for your legendary contribution to the World. Rest in Power Baba Abele Bikila🏃🏿‍♂️🤴🏾❤

[@tenubekele5553]

May God continued to keep in rest in peace in heaven our legend our pride Abebe Bikila and Oni Niscanon thank you BBC

[@Injerahustler]

The man, the myth, the LEGEND! The one and only Abebe Bikila! A true inspiration for the whole continent!

[@betisima5377]

We are proud of him

[@BlackDiamond548]

What a magnificent person 😊

[@hit2579]

What a great man

[@yonatankidane3596]

He thought a "new pair of trainers would give him blisters, so he ran barefooted on cobblestone and concrete and won ." Amazing!

[@azebnegash2354]

He's absolutely right!!! He most certainly would have gotten blisters from a new runner. A new runner needs to be, what they call it nowadays, broken. It means one has to wear it a few times before using it on Marathon. Who ever suggested the idea was trying to sabotage him.

[@yonatankidane3596]

@@azebnegash2354 I think you misinterpreted what was said. It was paying homage to Abebe for his incredible accomplishments. Running a marathon barefoot is no easy task. And to win it no less...

[@ShortDeeps]

@@azebnegash2354 Amazing!

[@mohammedhussien4763]

@@yonatankidane3596no you misunderstood her, but it’s okay

[@tol_bek]

The Man The Myth The Legend Abebe Bikila, a sign of Pride for all of Us!!! Proud to be Ethiopian!!!Proud to be Black Diamond African!!!!

[@itsmydamonelove4804]

Rip legend for all Africa 😍Ethiopia 🇪🇹

[@AnduAmlak-vj4of]

Abebe Bekila’s Legacy will live on. Rest In Peace In the light

[@redwanredwanWayne]

Rest in peace legend 🙏

[@user-en1zc5vd6y]

Lots of great people we’ve never heard about. Keep bringing these stories especially about Africa

[@melakuabi3898]

Legend never die ❤

[@mohammedyimam5008]

Abebe is the African king

[@yohanesmoges5003]

our legend

[@tagelalemayehu2830]

Our legend !

[@studioorigami7463]

Thank you BBC for showing us this world legend's story

[@Anuwar-u9y]

Our hero!

[@dawitnigussie]

Our pride❤

[@FRAOLS]

: Rome sent thousand of soldiers to colonize and failed : Ethiopia just sent Abebe and won history

[@hotbloodedethiopian6229]

The Ethiopian who single-handedly conquered Rome ❤

[@beyaed34]

The Man and the only Man!

[@selamdesta6679]

Thanks You !!!!

[@thebarefootrunnerabebebiki7586]

Thanks

[@yohannes.w]

Remember, He made this an incredible history, whilst most African countries were under colony.

[@ልጅቷ]

ክብር ለ አትሌት አበበ ቢቂላ❤። ዘመን የማይሽረው የቁርጡ ቀን ልጅ አበበ ቢቂላ ነብስህ በአባቶቻችን ጎን ትረፍ እናመሰግንሀለን እንወድሀለን።

[@kalebgirma3048]

Our hero

[@plusthree3878]

Abebe bekila king of marathon ❤❤❤ 🇪🇹🇪🇹🇪🇹

[@biniyamtv2632]

Abebe🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐

[@KassaToday]

Ethiopia is the land of heros and always leading long distance running

[@dawg929]

Thank you for this reporting❤

[@mekonnenneggamuluken7414]

Thank you Thank you thank you........for what you have done on this video ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@YemisrachWondimu-o5k]

The legend!!!

[@bilenpodcast]

Beyond proud 💪💯

[@andumenged]

1960, the first black african gold medal winner at the olympics, a legend and a hero! thank you 🙏

[@manealst7249]

He was 5’10 too. Very tall for his time.

[@tirsitlammatessema3519]

የማያረጅ ታሪክ!!

[@ashebirhailegeorgis9564]

Legend😭❤❤❤

[@edendaniel5608]

Bikila means new growth in Afan Oromo, almost like he was destined to open the door for so many Black/African runners for years to come ❤💚

[@yirgalemaddis7129]

I have no idea why we don't make our heros our models. We have so many including Abebe who can inspire us. Your history lives for ever

[@nextgengaming6614]

This is great. The world needs to know about our Ethiopian Legend! First black gold medalist in the Olympics an achievement that should be celebrated by all Africans.

[@ermiasbirhanu289]

He’s iconic Athlete in the entire planet, name 1 Athletes run long distance with barefoot? His legacy still lives on 🇪🇹🙏🏿

[@eplfgallery]

Abebe Bkila has made it a powerhouse in the Horn of Africa with his influence in running. I hope they will be influenced by Biniam Girmay and become strong and competitive in cycling in the Horn of Africa.

[@Sarbet888]

Biniam, like Abebe, will inspire future generations of African cyclists. The challenge is unlike running, cycling is an expensive sport.

[@DagimTeshome-z8q]

He is a legend.

[@Eboli-dx5mq]

Amazing!

[@Hello_Ethiopia]

WOW BBC News Africa👍 "Abebe changed the Olympics forever! Thank you, Abebe Bikila, for your amazing work! 💪"

[@eyobasefa5314]

he is legend

[@binilulseged6647]

The One and Only Legend Abebe Bikila.

[@kerhabplays]

Abebe Bikila, Peace be upon him. A legend.

[@trusew.habtam]

Amazing 👏 👏👏

[@joygr8]

Our greatest 💚💛❤️💪🏽

[@King_nation12]

አበበ ቢቂላ ABEBE BIKILA የኢትዮጵያ ጀግና ❤❤❤❤

[@Boxingcorner465]

Wow 🤩 ❤ thanks

[@user1952-e4g]

One of the greatest track athletes to ever walk the earth. To not only run and win the 1960 marathon while running barefoot has to be the most remarkable feats in athletic history. He was my inspiration to start running long distance as a teenager.

[@keetimtube3483]

WE HAVE OUR HISTORY THAT NEED TO BE TOLD IMPARTIALLY LIKE THIS, THANK YOU BBC!

[@abebadesawit8537]

Thanks BBC for remembering Ethiopian gold man!!!

[@samihq944]

He was incredibly athlete His legacy still remains Abebe bikila

[@manKigogo]

I'm Kenyan,I respect Abebe Bikila and all Ethiopians so much. We are rivals in the field but great neighbours outside.Yene Konjo.

[@momoben9899]

😢🙏

[@ThePomskysPalace]

Yes yes yes! When my father got older and couldn’t walk fast, I would call him our Ethiopian track star!! I watched him struggle and would say “Here comes Haile Gebrselassie or Abebe Bekela” he would always laugh, it gave him strength. Ethiopians don’t give in, we don’t give up! God Bless Ethiopia, how I miss my country. Long live our legendary history! ❤️🇪🇹

[@HamiticKushitic]

Thank you for making this video about ababe begila who is Oromo champion and black African, however, he died young by the hand of the enemies of my people because he is an Oromo who fought for freedom of his oppressed people. May he rest in peace and i wish him Naagaa and Bilisummaa where ever he is. Ameen.

[@kitty-vk8ic]

Never forgotten rest in peace legend,

[@habtetedla5005]

I love this !

[@GebreGiorgis]

African Legend

[@HabtuTadele-lm8cu]

love,abebe bekila 🇪🇹

[@yking6443]

Our Ethiopia 🇪🇹 hero 🙌

[@alvisngeno4039]

i am from kenya...mad respect to our east africa Marathon Trailbazer Abebe Bikila

[@kingGForce9255]

Abebe bikila showed the world that a black man can do anything.

[@tsegaeyesus5387]

Proud African!

[@ermi.t2004]

He is a legendary son of Mama Africa & Ethiopia 🇪🇹

[@anthonyloveanthonylove2159]

Son of Ethiopia allow African thing man, am Ethiopian not African, it’s like India wins something and Chinese celebrates as if it’s their own

[@EMT1bviews]

​@@anthonyloveanthonylove2159 i'm ethiopian and african...who you?

[@anthonyloveanthonylove2159]

@@EMT1bviews am Ethiopian and and Ethiopians only, you can choose to associate yourself with any monkey you like, you probably look like them

[@zelalemeshetu1677]

Foolish man​@@anthonyloveanthonylove2159

[@zulushanx7959]

​@@anthonyloveanthonylove2159Ethiopia is from Africa dude

[@MahletBezabih-n1x]

❤❤❤❤

[@StrangeFavour]

💚💛❤️Ethiopian Legend Athlete Abebe Bikila, the first black African man win Gold Medal at Olympics 1960, Rome He break the protocol of Olympic 💚💛❤️🇪🇹ለመላው ኢትዮጵያዊያን ሰላምና ፍቅር እንዲሁም የመባረክ ዘመን ይሁን አሜን በእየሱስ ስም 🙏

[@JesusMyHealer]

Abebe Bikela

[@durumarthu]

We have sadly forgotten who we are, who our ancestors are, what our history is, and what we are made of. Today, my beloved country, Ethiopia, struggles from senseless civil conflicts based on tribal divisions. Only if we take a moment to look, not too far, in history, we see that we are one people. However, a few, self-motivated, grid-filled, careless individuals are using this baseless excuse to divide, kill, and rob Ethiopians of their unique identity, tolerance and love for one another. I sincerely hope we find our way back to prosperity and continue the legacy of our ancestors. Abebe Bikila is a national treasure and hero who the people of Ethiopia, and others, love, respect, and cherish. May your name and legacy live forever. RIP

[@RahaRo11]

Ethiopians are good people take care of them they'll take care of you..2024

[@aduSport]

The GOAT ❤❤❤

[@merymery7358]

Thank you for sharing this we need some positive stories after what we are going through the last 5 yrs

[@Randavo]

He is My country symbol of endurance

[@annatikuye9603]

He was a Greatest man in the world. RIP LEGEND, GOLDEN, KING 👑 ETHIOPIANS 🙏💚💛❤️

[@Abel_Girma91]

"For the first time in Olympic history the Ethiopian national anthem" 💪🏽❤

[@Mercy2Mee]

Died so young but left a legacy that would live on for centuries ! RIP king! 🇪🇹

[@user-my5bg5nm2w]

Thank You @BBC for bringing back a a life of true black ethiopian hero.

[@emdee_lucky]

That's The Real Goggins

[@natnaelasres933]

This needs its own movie.

[@tireshopsaddis]

ኢትዮጵያ ኢትዮጵያ Long live Ethiopia ❤

[@jesusiscoming-repent]

I feel like this is a gift given for Ethiopians.. to inspire others.. We are in deed slow and may seem slower than the rest of the world in developing, but I am sure we will get to be the first and surprise the glob as usual!!!

[@Drockaddis]

May Ethiopia live forever!

[@ashenafiatgs980]

Thanks Abebe! RIP my Brother, Father ... !