Barefoot Runner
by Paul Rambali
(Serpent’s Tail, www.serpentstail.com, £11.99)
This heart-wrenching account of Abebe Bikila, the first African to win an Olympic marathon while serving as bodyguard to Ethiopia’s last emperor, is for both running fans and history buffs alike. Beginning with Bikila’s early youth, Rambali tells the story of how this dedicated and selfless man worked with Swedish coach Onni Niskanen to produce the pioneer team of the African running revolution. Rambali also provides fascinating details on Ethiopian custom and character, shedding light on the intricacies of a fascinating culture which have been overshadowed by the country’s poverty and political instability.
Westerners typically look at Ethiopian runners as having been bestowed with incredible God-given talent that needs no further refining or nurturing; this book shows, however, that between weekly customary fasts and empirical tyranny, these runners do not have it as easy as we think. Rambali’s account is a roller-coaster of exciting emotional events, from Bikila’s barefoot 1960 Olympic gold to a nearly fatal automobile accident, from a quaint meeting between African distance runner and African American power sprinter to a machine-gun enlisted prison massacre. Anyone who is fascinated by globalization, social justice, and the power of sport should make it a priority to read about the hopes and dreams of Bikila: to serve as mascot to his country’s supposed strength during what really was the most chaotic moment in its history.
