An almost unknown Ethiopian runner made Olympic history on September 10, 1960, by winning the marathon barefoot through the streets of Rome to become the first Black African athlete to earn a gold medal.
Abebe Bikila, a 28-year-old runner competing just 25 years after fascist Italy invaded his home country, completed the 42-kilometer course in two hours, 15 minutes, and 16.2 seconds. His performance set a new world best time and established East African distance runners on the international sports stage.
Barefoot Run Through Historic Rome
The Olympic marathon in Rome began at 5:30 p.m. to help 69 athletes from 35 countries avoid the oppressive daytime heat. As dusk fell, hundreds of Italian soldiers held flaming torches along the route to light the way for the runners through the historic city center.
Bikila had trained extensively in the highlands of Ethiopia under Swedish-Finnish coach Onni Niskanen, practicing both with and without footwear. Shortly before the race, shoes provided to Bikila caused uncomfortable blisters during trial runs. Bikila decided it was safer to run barefoot, a choice that surprised his competitors but felt entirely natural to him.
Throughout the race, Bikila paced himself steadily before joining Moroccan runner Rhadi Ben Abdesselem at the front. By the 25-kilometer marker, the duo had built a significant gap ahead of the rest of the field, remaining side by side as the race became a two-man contest through the 35-kilometer mark.
Symbolic Victory at the Obelisk of Axum
The decisive break occurred approximately 500 meters from the finish line near Porta Capena, where Bikila launched a rapid acceleration that Ben Abdesselem could not match. The location carried deep historical weight, as it was the site of the Obelisk of Axum.
Italian forces under dictator Benito Mussolini had looted the ancient monument from Ethiopia following the fascist invasion of 1935 and 1936, erecting it in Rome as a symbol of colonial conquest. World Athletics noted that Bikila recognized the monument during the final stretch and increased his pace at that exact spot to pull away from his rival.
Bikila crossed the finish line alone under the illuminated Arch of Constantine, next to the Colosseum. Ben Abdesselem took the silver medal in two hours, 15 minutes, and 41.6 seconds, while Barry Magee of New Zealand finished third in two hours, 17 minutes, and 18.2 seconds to secure bronze.
Bikila's triumph arrived as numerous African nations were gaining independence from European colonial powers. Four years later, at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Bikila defended his title while wearing shoes, winning in two hours, 12 minutes, and 11.2 seconds just weeks after undergoing an appendectomy. He became the first marathoner to win consecutive Olympic gold medals.
Major Historical Events on September 10
September 10 marks several other major milestones across world history, spanning natural disasters, political treaties, and cultural shifts:
- 1509 Constantinople Earthquake: A massive earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.2 struck Constantinople, triggering a tsunami and widespread devastation. Known as the Little Judgment Day, the disaster caused thousands of deaths across the Ottoman capital.
- 1919 Treaty of Saint-Germain: Austria and the victorious Allied powers of World War I signed the Treaty of Saint-Germain. The agreement formally dissolved the Austro-Hungarian Empire and remapped Central Europe.
- 1944 Liberation of Chios: German occupation forces withdrew from the Greek island of Chios, liberating the island weeks before the final Nazi evacuation from Greece.
- 1960 Barefoot Olympic Triumph: Abebe Bikila won the Rome Olympic marathon barefoot, becoming the first Black African gold medalist.
- 1977 Final Guillotine Execution: Hamida Djandoubi was executed by guillotine in Marseille, marking the final execution in France prior to the abolition of capital punishment in 1981.
- 1991 Launch of Grunge Era: American rock band Nirvana released their hit single Smells Like Teen Spirit, transforming Seattle grunge music into a global pop culture phenomenon.
- 2009 Greek Political Speech: Politician George Papandreou stated during a campaign address that money was available, a phrase that became famous in Greek politics ahead of the country's economic crisis.
Notable Births on September 10
Three prominent cultural figures share a September 10 birthday:
- Giannis Bezos (1956): The Greek actor, director, and singer became a prominent figure in Greek theater and television. He gained national popularity through hit comedy series such as Oi Aparadektoi, Tis Ellados ta paidia, and Ekeines ki ego.
- Colin Firth (1960): The Academy Award-winning English actor earned international acclaim for his role in The King's Speech. He is also widely celebrated for playing Mr. Darcy in the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, as well as starring roles in Bridget Jones's Diary, Love Actually, A Single Man, and Mamma Mia!.
- Guy Ritchie (1968): The English filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer emerged as a leading voice in modern British cinema, directing acclaimed crime films including Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, Sherlock Holmes, and The Gentlemen.
Notable Deaths and Anniversaries
The date of September 10 also marks significant historical passings and international observances:
Pioneering English feminist, author, and philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft died on September 10, 1797. She authored the groundbreaking 1792 treatise A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, laying foundational arguments for women's social and political rights. She was also the mother of Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein.
In the Eastern Orthodox calendar, September 10 is the feast day celebrating the namedays of Minodora, Mitrodora, and Nymphodora. Globally, the date is commemorated as World Suicide Prevention Day to raise awareness for mental health support worldwide.
