Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. Born in Jato, Ethiopia. He won the Olympic Marathon twice, in 1960 and 1964. He set a new world record at Rome in 1960 and was the first African to win an Olympic gold medal. He set a new world record in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He won marathon world championships in 1960 and 1962. In 1968 he was in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He continued to compete athletically winning a 25km cross-country sledge competition in Norway in 1970. His name is on the award given every year at the New York City Marathon to the model athlete.
Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. Born in Jato, Ethiopia. He won the Olympic Marathon twice, in 1960 and 1964. He set a new world record at Rome in 1960 and was the first African to win an Olympic gold medal. He set a new world record in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He won marathon world championships in 1960 and 1962. In 1968 he was in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He continued to compete athletically winning a 25km cross-country sledge competition in Norway in 1970. His name is on the award given every year at the New York City Marathon to the model athlete.
Bio by: Bigwoo
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