Abebe Bikila

The first black-African gold medalist at the Olympics, Abebe Bikila created history by winning back-to-back gold medals in the Marathon. The Ethiopian made came to the limelight by winning his first marathon by running barefoot.

Abebe Bikila - the greatest marathon runner had a sad ending to his career as his upper body was paralyzed after a fatal car accident and later passed away in the year 1972, at the age of 41. The legend has many venues, stadiums, and schools named after him and he is still considered to be one of the greatest Olympians in the world.