Abebe Bikila wins 1960 Olympic marathon while running barefoot in Rome

On September 10, 1960, Ethiopian runner Abebe Bikila secured an Olympic gold medal in the marathon at the Rome Games. Running the entire course without footwear, Bikila finished 25 seconds ahead of Morocco’s Rhadi Ben Abdesselami to set a new world record. His participation was confirmed only after an injury to teammate Wami Biratu provided him a late roster spot. The win marked the first Olympic gold medal for an athlete from sub-Saharan Africa. Bikila later successfully defended his marathon title at the 1964 Games while wearing shoes. His career accomplishments remain recognized by the New York Road Runners through an annual award established in his honor.

• 2:18 PMYahoo Sports — Deseret News archives: Abebe Bikila was a trendsetter among Olympic distance runners