Came from a family of farmers and was member of the Imperial Guard
member of Ethiopian Emperor
Haile Selassie before succeeding in military
competitions. After his victory in Rome, Selassie offered him a car, an
apartment, and a pension for the rest of his life. However, when
rebellion arose in the Emperor's Palace, all the Guard were killed.
Abebe Bikila escaped from death thanks to the Emperor's
intervention.
