Hall of Fame Inducts Ethiopian Runners
History was made when the African American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame (AAESHOF) inducted Abebe Bikila, Mamo Wolde, and Haile Gebrselassie at its Historic Induction Ceremony at Addis Ababa University, on Friday May 8, 2009. Our theme: “Return to the Motherland. We Have To Look At The Past To Change The Future.”
Abebe Bikila was born on August 7, 1932, the day of the Los Angeles Olympic Marathon, in the village of Jato, Ethiopia, located 9 kilometers outside the town of Mendida. Bikila was added to the Ethiopian Olympic team only at the last moment, as the plane to Rome was about to leave, as a replacement for Warmi Biratu, who had broken his ankle in a soccer match.
Adidas, the shoe sponsor at the 1960 Summer Olympics, had few shoes left when Bikila went to try out shoes and he ended up with a pair that didn’t fit comfortably, so he couldn’t use them. A couple of hours before the race the decision was taken by Abebe to run barefoot, the way he’d trained for the race. During the race Bikila passed numerous runners, and by about 20 km, Bikila and another runner had created a gap from the rest of the pack. Bikila ran alongside of number 26, and they stayed together until the last 500 meters, when Abebe sprinted to the finish line.
Bikila won a record time of 2:15:16.2, becoming the first black African to win an Olympic gold medal. He finished 26 seconds ahead of Rhadi Ben Abdesselam from Morocco, who was favored to win. After the race, when Bikila was asked why he had run barefoot, he replied, “I wanted the world to know that my country, Ethiopia, has always won with determination and heroism.” Bikila returned to Ethiopia as a hero and remain so today. The saying quickly swept the country that “it took a million Italians to invade Ethiopia but only one Ethiopian to conquer Rome.”
Mamo Waldo–his given name -was born in a village 40 miles south of Addis Ababa in 1951. He took part in government-sponsored athletic events, hoping to emulate his countryman, Abebe Bikila, and became his training partner. “Abebe Bikila made me want to run, “Wolde once said. “He was my guiding light.” Wolde first competed in the Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, in the 800 and the 1,500 meters, and the 4 x 400 relay, but finished last in the heats.
He ran in the 10,000 meters and in the marathon at the 1964 Tokyo Games without winning a medal. Beginning in the 1960, Wolde’s focus changed from middle distance races to long distances. He placed fourth in the 10,000 meters at the 1964 Summer Olympics. After Abebe Bikila had won the 1964 Olympic marathon, Wolde became the second Ethiopian to win the title in that race. Earlier in that same Olympics, Wolde had already won the silver medal in the 10,000 meters. Wolde won a third Olympic medal at the age of 40.
Haile Gebrselassie is regarded as the greatest distance runner of all times. Haile has built an extraordinary reputation as an exceptional athlete who is setting a new level in long-distance races. Haile was born in the province of Arsi in Central Ethiopia. Arsi has produced great long-distance runners like Derartu Tulu, Fatuma Roba, and of course, Haile Gebrselassie.
“We are pleased that this organization has traveled to Ethiopia to honor our athletes, said President Girma WoldeGiorgis. “They have my support for the next ceremony and into the future.”
Abebe Bikila and 10k Olympic gold medalist Miruts Yifter, too, inspired Haile. As a child he had to run 10 kilometers a day each way to go and come back from school. At age 16, without any formal training, he entered the Addis Ababa marathon, and finished in 2:42. Haile rose to international prominence in 1992 when he won the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters World Junior championship. In 1993 at the Stuttgart World championships, he won the 10,000 meters and got second in the 5000 meters. Haile set his first World Record in the 5000 meters in 12:56.96 in Hengelo, Holland in 1994.
“It was an easy decision to induct the Ethiopians athletes before other Africans because Ethiopia is the cradle of civilization, “said Arif Khatib, President and Founder of AAESHOF. “Since independence came to African states, athletes from the continent have dazzled the western world with their Olympic feasts.” “And this historic event, which will have national, continental and international impact, is the perfect vehicle to reach our common commitment to create Peace and Goodwill, and creat friendships between the Africans and Americans, Khatib said.
We partnered with People2People www.peoplepeople.org) who convened its 10th anniversary international conference on May 8th at the university. “Ethiopia is proud of its athletes and I congratulate the first class at this historical ceremony, said, Dr. Enawgaw Mehari, President and Founder.
“Recognition of these athletes is long overdue, said Dr. John Carlos, 1968 Olympian. “The Ethiopians and Africans in general have paid their dues, worked hard and have been successful. As a board member of AAESHOF, I am pleased to support this history-making event”.
“Today’s African athletes are ready to demonstrate that they can contribute to bringing recognition and pride to their countries, “said Fisseha Acres, General Manager, Intercontinental Hotel in Addis Ababa. “I personally thank this organization for choosing to honor the Ethiopians athletes.”
Ethiopian Airlines, Sheraton Hotel, Dreamliner Hotel, Intercontinental Hotel, and People2People sponsored the event.
We have been asked to return and induct four additional athletes and the date has been set for February 26-27 in Addis Ababa. We invite you to travel with us on a “special” airfare, hotel, or bed & breakfast. We will also tour outside Addis Ababa to learn more about Ethiopian culture, business and history.
We are entertaining an invitation to induct Nigerians athletes while in Africa and are examinging that invitaton as well.