The Athlete

The story

Running the streets of Rome in 1960, an unknown, barefooted Ethiopian man stunned the world by winning Olympic gold in the marathon. Overnight, Abebe Bikila became a sports legend. A hero in his own country and to the continent, Bikila was the first African to win a gold medal, and four years later in Tokyo would become the first person in history to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in the marathon.

Cast & crew

Rasselas Lakew

Rasselas LakewAbebe Bikila

Dag MalmbergOnni

Ruta GedmintasCharlotte

Abba Waka Dessalegn

Abba Waka Dessalegn. The Priest

Johnny Ashenafi

Johnny AshenafiCoach Nega

Woyneshet Belachew

Woyneshet BelachewTelephone Operator

Abebe BikilaHimself (archive footage)

Arne Boysen

Arne BoysenGunnar Krogsveen

Yeneneh Ezra

Yeneneh EzraEmperor Haile Selassie

Fekadu Gemechu

Fekadu GemechuUncle

Mersha Getahun

Mersha GetahunBartender

Tigist Gurma

Tigist GurmaMotel Manager