The Athlete

Overview

Running the streets of Rome in 1960, an unknown, barefooted Ethiopian man stunned the world by winning Olympic gold in the marathon. Overnight, Abebe Bikila became a sports legend. A hero in his own country and to the continent, Bikila was the first African to win a gold medal, and four years later in Tokyo would become the first person in history to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in the marathon.

Directed by Davey Frankel, Rasselas Lakew

Top cast

R

Rasselas Lakew

Abebe Bikila

Dag Malmberg

Onni

Ruta Gedmintas

Charlotte

A

Abba Waka Dessalegn

. The Priest

J

Johnny Ashenafi

Coach Nega

W

Woyneshet Belachew

Telephone Operator

Abebe Bikila

Himself (archive footage)

A

Arne Boysen

Gunnar Krogsveen

Y

Yeneneh Ezra

Emperor Haile Selassie

F

Fekadu Gemechu

Uncle

M

Mersha Getahun

Bartender

T

Tigist Gurma

Motel Manager

Benito Mussolini

Himself (archive footage)

Hristo Petkov

Archery coach

E

Ekaterina Petrova

Journalist

A

Assefa Tegene

Male Border Guard

Z

Zelalem Yetagesu

Rude Officer

Details