Marathon / Ethiopia / Olympics
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Ethiopia's Barefoot Olympian
** SHORTLISTED FOR BEST NEW WRITER AWARD BRITISH SPORTS AWARDS 2009 **
** SHORTLISTED FOR BEST NEW WRITER AWARD BRITISH SPORTS AWARDS 2009 **
/ SYNOPSIS
On 10 September 1960 Abebe Bikila, an Ethiopian, won the Rome Olympic marathon running barefoot. He was the first black African to win a gold medal at the Olympics. Overnight he became a sporting hero, an African hero and, for many, the first black African they had ever heard of. Bikila was a man of his times – a symbol of hope in the new Africa.
Now, for the first time, his true story is told. Central to that tale is the extraordinary life of another man - a Swede - Onni Niskanen, Bikila's trainer, and a soldier and adventurer. Together they took the sporting world by storm. Bikila was the athlete and the champion - but Niskanen was the architect of his success.
Tim Judah's research took him to Ethiopia, Rome, Sweden and Switzerland, where he interviewed those who knew Bikila and Niskanen. Much of their story has never been revealed until now.
Now, for the first time, his true story is told. Central to that tale is the extraordinary life of another man - a Swede - Onni Niskanen, Bikila's trainer, and a soldier and adventurer. Together they took the sporting world by storm. Bikila was the athlete and the champion - but Niskanen was the architect of his success.
Tim Judah's research took him to Ethiopia, Rome, Sweden and Switzerland, where he interviewed those who knew Bikila and Niskanen. Much of their story has never been revealed until now.
/ CHARITY
Part of the proceeds from the sales of this book will go to Radda Barnen - Save the Children Sweden in Ethiopia. Between 1972 and 1981, it was headed by Onni Niskanen, Bikila's trainer, who then continued to advise it until his death. The charity are the custodians of Niskanen's private photo album, the source of many of the previously unseen pictures in the book.
/ PRESS REVIEWS
Listen to Tim Judah discussing the book on ABC Radio Late Night Live...
Bikila reviewed in TIME
Triumph of the shoeless superstar - The Observer
The glory trail - The Guardian
Bikila reviewed in Ethiopian News
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Catalogue Details
3rd July 2008
163pp. Hardback £16.99
ISBN 978-0-9558302-4-2
216 x 138mm 176pp 16 plates and maps
163pp. Large Paperback Price: £12.99
216 x 138mm 176pp 16 plates and maps
ISBN 978-0-9558302-1-1
Foreign Rights: World
Bikila reviewed in TIME
Triumph of the shoeless superstar - The Observer
The glory trail - The Guardian
Bikila reviewed in Ethiopian News
-------------------------------------
Catalogue Details
3rd July 2008
163pp. Hardback £16.99
ISBN 978-0-9558302-4-2
216 x 138mm 176pp 16 plates and maps
163pp. Large Paperback Price: £12.99
216 x 138mm 176pp 16 plates and maps
ISBN 978-0-9558302-1-1
Foreign Rights: World
Reportage Press is a new publishing house specialising in books on foreign affairs or set in foreign countries; non-fiction, fiction, essays, travel books, old travel memoirs, or just books written from a stranger’s view.
Daniela Norris and Shireen Anabtawi in discussion - October 12th, London Jewish Cultural Centre
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