Running the streets of Rome in 1960, an unknown, barefoot Ethiopian man stunned the world by winning The Olympic gold medal in the marathon. Overnight, Abebe Bikila became a sports legend. A hero in his own country and to the continent, Bikila was the first black African to win a gold medal. Four years later and just five weeks after an operation for appendicitis, Abebe successfully defended his Rome gold at the '64 Tokyo Olympiad, winning by the widest margin in history and becoming the first person to win consecutive Olympic marathons. This soldier and quiet son... of a shepherd is considered by many the greatest long-distance runner in history. But his life story only began with Olympic medals. In 1969, while training for the '72 Munich games, Abebe, 36, was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Following surgery and during recovery in England, Bikila fought depression and craved to compete again. In the struggle to maintain the will to live, Bikila discovered a deeper meaning of competition. He first did so in archery at the English Paralympics, and then later, at the invitation of the King of Norway, in a handicapped cross country ski race known as The Ridderrennet in Beitostolen, Norway. Bikila’s victory on a dog-sled in this snow-covered wilderness proved to be his final, triumphant race. “Atletu (The Athlete)” is a tale of extraordinary determination and of a singular man, Abebe Bikila. Told for the first time, this true story has been rendered with emotional power and cinematic grace. [show more]
We will publish your review of The Athlete on DVD within a few days as long as it meets our guidelines.
None of your personal details will be passed on to any other third party.
Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 or region free DVD player in order to play Running the streets of Rome in 1960 an unknown barefoot Ethiopian man stunned the world by winning The Olympic gold medal in the marathon Overnight Abebe Bikila became a sports legend A hero in his own country and to the continent Bikila was the first black African to win a gold medal Four years later and just five weeks after an operation for appendicitis Abebe successfully defended his Rome gold at the &39;64 Tokyo Olympiad&39; winning by the widest margin in history and becoming the first person to win consecutive Olympic marathons This soldier and quiet son of a shepherd is considered by many the greatest long-distance runner in history But his life story only began with Olympic medals In 1969 while training for the &39;72 Munich gamesAbebe 36 was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down Following surgeryand during recovery in England Bikila fought depression and craved to compete again In the struggle to maintain the will to live Bikila discovered a deeper meaning of competition He first did so in archery at the English Paralympics and then later at the invitation of the King of Norway in a handicapped cross country ski race known as The Ridderrennet in Beitostolen Norway Bikila s victory on a dog-sled in this snow-covered wilderness proved to be his final triumphant race "Atletu (The Athlete)" is a tale of extraordinary determination and of a singular man Abebe Bikila Told for the first time this true story has been rendered with emotional power and cinematic grace Language English Amharic Subtitles English
Biographical feature drama about Ethiopian sportsman Abebe Bikila. Rasselas Lakew, who also co-directs and co-writes the film, plays Bikila, who becomes a world sensation when he runs barefoot to win Olympic gold in the Rome marathon in 1960, and, four years later in Tokyo, becomes the first person ever to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in the marathon. Soon after this, however, a car accident leaves him paralysed from the waist down and unable to walk. Faced with the greatest challenge of his life, he manages to overcome his physical limitations and takes up archery for the Paralympics, before going on to participate in the gruelling Ridderrennet cross-country ski race in Norway.
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy
