The family of the late Ethiopian marathon champion Abebe Bikila is suing Vibram for allegedly using his name without permission, according to the Associated Press. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Tacoma, Wash., claims that Vibram didn’t seek permission for trademarking the name “Bikila” and naming several of its minimally designed FiveFingers footwear running
The post Family of Abebe Bikila Sues Vibram appeared first on 6KILO.com.
The 81st birthday of Abebe Bikila, Ethiopian marathon runner and the first Sub-Saharan African to winan Olympic gold medal, is being celebrated with Google Doodle.
Bikila, born on 7 August 1932, sprinted to success when he beat competitors in the 1960 Summer Olympics marathon, barefoot – the way he had trained for the race. He won in record time, finishing 25 seconds ahead of race rival, Rhadi.
In 1964, Bikila made history again, breaking the world record for the marathon, coming in at 4 minutes and 8 seconds in front of the silver medallist. He was the first athlete in history to win the Olympic marathon twice.
“I wanted the world to know that my country, Ethiopia, has always won with determination”, said the athlete. Abebe Bikila passed away at the age of 41 in 1973, and was proclaimed an Ethiopian national hero.