The athletes are now gathering in Beijing for the Olympics. There will be 36 athletes representing Ethiopia – a country well known for running. Keep an eye out in the track events.

Here is some interesting history….
Abebe Bikila is a well known Ethiopian Olympic marathan runner who ran barefoot. (See the video clip below). Abebe not only won the race in the Rome Olympics, but also set a new world record at 2:16:2. He was the first African to win an Olympics medal. Commenting on why he runs on bare foot, Abebe said, “I wanted the world to know that my country Ethiopia has always won with determination and heroism.”

In 1968, Abebe Bikila was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Even while in a wheelchair, Abebe’s competitive spirit and desire to see his country’s flag hoisted high and proud helped him compete and win several races.