Bikila Seeks Third Win

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31776, 5 September 1968, Page 19

Bikila Seeks Third Win

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) ADDIS ABABA. The Olympic marathon champion in 1960 and 1964, Abebe Bikila, Is determined to win the title for the third successive time. He has intensified his training for the Mexico City games. Bikila, aged 36, a lieutenant in Emperor Haile Selassie’s Imperial bodyguard, was only second in the local military championships earlier this year when he clocked his best time this season. Bikila finished in 2hr 25min 44sec for the traditional 26 miles 385 yards. But previous form and times

mean little in Bikila’s case. He was unknown before he won the 1960 Olympic marathon in Rome barefooted. Four years later in Tokyo, Bikila—wearing shoes this time —won within six weeks of an appendix operation. On each occasion his time was a world best performance. Two other Ethiopians will be running the marathon with Bikila in Mexico — Demissie Wolde, a 31-year-old Army sergeantmajor, and Merawi Gebru, a 36-year-old sergeant in the Imperial bodyguard. Gebru is a strong runner, best known for his victory in this year’s Spanish marathon at Zaraus, in 2hr 18min 58sec. Wolde finished fourth in the military championships in which Bikila was second. The race was won by Mamo Wolde, in 2hr 22min 2sec. Demissie Wolde, no relation to the winner, clocked 2hr

29min 43sec. Mamo Wolde will run in the 10,000 metres at Mexico City and has been nomin-

ated as a reserve for the marathon. Ethiopia has entered 10 competitors for the track and field events but it is only in the marathon that it has hopes of medals.