Barefoot Gold: Abebe Bikila's Historic Run | Salt Lake City News

In 1960, Abebe Bikila stunned the world by winning Olympic gold in the marathon barefoot—becoming the first Black African to claim an Olympic title and proving greatness doesn’t need fancy gear. Drafted last-minute after a teammate’s injury, he ran without shoes because none fit right, then surged ahead in the dark to shatter the world record. Four years later, he returned wearing shoes to win again—only to be paralyzed in a car crash in 1969. His legacy lives on through awards and inspiration, reminding us that extraordinary feats can rise from the simplest tools and unexpected paths. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/2e15a378f1d1f792