The Athlete

Rasselas Lakew
2009-03-09


5.9
92 min

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.

Cast

Name Character Team
Rasselas Lakew Abebe Bikila Unowned
Dag Malmberg Onni Unowned
Ruta Gedmintas Charlotte Unowned
Abba Waka Dessalegn . The Priest Unowned
Johnny Ashenafi Coach Nega Unowned
Woyneshet Belachew Telephone Operator Unowned
Abebe Bikila Himself (archive footage) Unowned
Arne Boysen Gunnar Krogsveen Unowned
Yeneneh Ezra Emperor Haile Selassie Unowned
Fekadu Gemechu Uncle Unowned
Mersha Getahun Bartender Unowned
Tigist Gurma Motel Manager Unowned
Benito Mussolini Himself (archive footage) Unowned
Hristo Petkov Archery coach Unowned
Ekaterina Petrova Journalist Unowned
Assefa Tegene Male Border Guard Unowned
Zelalem Yetagesu Rude Officer Unowned