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In this gripping episode, we transport you back to the iconic marathon event at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Between the 5 km (3 mi) and 20 km (12 mi) marks, the lead changed hands multiple times, creating an atmosphere of intense competition.[28] But it was at around the 25 km (16 mi) point that something extraordinary happened.
Abebe Bikila and Rhadi ben Abdesselam began to pull away from the rest of the pack, forging ahead in their quest for Olympic glory.[29] Meanwhile, trailing by approximately two minutes at the 30 km (19 mi) mark were notable contenders: New Zealand's Barry Magee, who eventually claimed third place with a time of 2:17:18.2,[27] and Sergei Popov, the world marathon record holder at that time, who finished fifth.[30][31]
As the tension mounted, Abebe and ben Abdesselam remained neck and neck until the final 500 m (1,600 ft) stretch. The finish line, marked by the ancient obelisk, beckoned them both. It was in these crucial moments that Abebe Bikila, surrounded by the enchanting glow of torch-bearing Italian soldiers along the Appian Way in the early-evening darkness, summoned his extraordinary sprinting prowess.[27][33]
The result? Abebe Bikila crossed the finish line in breathtaking fashion, clinching victory with a winning time of 2:15:16.2. His tenacity and speed edged out ben Abdesselam, who finished just twenty-five seconds later at 2:15:41.6. Notably, this achievement also shattered Sergei Popov's world marathon record, besting it by a mere eight tenths of a second.[32]
But what happened next was equally astounding. Abebe Bikila, upon crossing the finish line, displayed remarkable physical resilience as he touched his toes and ran in place. His incredible display of endurance left spectators and historians in awe, as he hinted that he could have possibly run another 10–15 km (6–9 mi).[34][35]
Join us as we relive this legendary marathon showdown, where Abebe Bikila's indomitable spirit and determination etched his name in the annals of Olympic history, forever celebrated as one of the greatest moments in sports.