Chapter 02 of 5
The Barefoot Miracle
The 1960 Rome Olympics and the decision to run without shoes.
- The Stage
Arrival in Rome
Abebe Bikila landed in Italy as a complete unknown, just one of two Ethiopian runners in the 1960 Games.
- Logistics
The Shoe Crisis
Bikila's only pair of running shoes had worn out. Adidas, the official sponsor, had very few pairs left when he arrived.
- Physical Friction
An Ill-Fitting Pair
The shoes available were too small, causing painful blisters during his final practice runs.
17 more cards in this chapter
Could you answer this?
Why did Abebe Bikila ultimately decide to run the 1960 Olympic marathon barefoot?
👣 The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner
- 01The Guard of Addis AbabaAbebe’s humble start in the Imperial Guard and his discovery of endurance.
- 02The Barefoot MiracleThe 1960 Rome Olympics and the decision to run without shoes.
- 03The Weight of the ContinentDefending the title in Tokyo while representing a changing Africa.
- 04A Change of PaceThe 1969 car accident that halted the runner but not the man.
- 05The Unbreakable SpiritBikila’s transition to the Paralympics and his lasting mental legacy.