Abebe Bikila ran the marathon barefoot in 1960. This event is considered as the “greatest symbol of the new, rejuvenated, post-Fascist country” (Martin “Abebe Bikila”).
Starting the discussion from the very beginning, the following data should be considered. Abebe Bikila was a 28-year-old member of Emperor Haile Selassie’s bodyguard. He came to the Olympic Games in Rome with the pair of running shoes which were ruined one month before the games. The desire to participate in the marathon was that great that even the absence of the running shoes was not the reasons for refusing from the action. Abebe Bikila started his running with everyone and was the first to come to the final spot.
When the result was announced and when everyone saw that the men was barefoot all were amazed. It is impossible to disagree with that opinion as a person run barefoot without considering the pave and other difficulties and barriers which were created on his way. Abebe Bikila is a person everyone should consider as a role model. Abebe Bikila had a great desire to complete his task, to do what he planned without looking at the difficulties. This is what people are to do.
Abebe Bikila became the symbol of Rome and the Olympic Games of 1960. Many people might do the same in their dreams, however, they would never do it in reality, but Abebe Bikila dared and has done it.
The significance of this act lies in many specific issues. First of all, Abebe Bikila showed the problems of the developing countries. The financial situation and the absence of the simplest things of the first need is the real problem of such poor countries as Ethiopia. Moreover, Abebe Bikila showed that everything is possible, one should just have a desire.
It is essential that the result of Abebe Bikila was the best for him personally, moreover, it was the best internationally. However, this result was dismissed widely as everyone considered it as impossible. The next when Olympic Games took place he was taken ill with appendicitis and underwent surgery. Unfortunately, in 1968 Bikila appeared in a car accident and left confined to a wheelchair. However, even this fact did not preven this person from Olympic Games.
He “he won gold in a 25km cross-country sledge competition in Norway in 1970” (Martin “Abebe Bikila”). The desire of this person to represent his country at the Olympic Games was not ruined. Remembering Abebe Bikila, the 2010 Rome marathon took place to honor the action of this great person. Looking at his desire to go in for sports, his strong will for victory, everyone should get something from this case.
Therefore, the Olympic Games have supported their status of an international championship where everyone may participate without strong requirement for their financial or social status. The action of Abebe Bikila has proven that the dream is closer than one think, it is just important to strive for it, train and try to do it more and more.
There are not many people as Abebe Bikila. Most of us would stop on the way to our dream, however, this in not correct. We should remember that only we have the key to our success and lengthy training and strong will are the only essential conditions for gaining our goal.
Tommie Smith and John Carlos were the gold and silver winners of the award for running 200m in 1968 in Mexico city during Olympic Games. Standing barefoot upon the victory platform, during the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner”, they each raised one hand, covered by a black glove, in a Black Power salute.
This gesture was a desire to pay attention of the society to the conditions of black people in the United States. However, the organizers of the Olympic Games refused to understand it. Having stated that this act went against the ideals and norms of the Olympic Games, caused the two athletes to be expelled from the Games. Olympic Games were created to show that all people were equal and the decision of the domestic problems by means of this event was not correct.
Generally speaking, the action made by Tommie Smith and John Carlos acted in accordance to their desire. They felt that no matter what they say they are not going to be heard in their country. The desire to act in the way they did was a guarantee to be heard.
Trying to act in favor of “justice, dignity, equality and peace” (Martin “Tommie Smith and John Carlos”), Tommie Smith and John Carlos understood that heir action may be incorrectly understood. I believe that the desire to win was motivated by the desire to show the whole world that the USA is a country which has the discrimination problem and such international event is just the only way to say about it to the whole world.
Not everyone would give a victory for the national problem, but Tommie Smith and John Carlos did. Expressing the pain of all African-Americans of the USA, these two persons sacrificed their fame in sports to the fame in social affairs. It is not easy to get gold and silver during the Olympic Games and Tommie Smith and John Carlos acted really bravely. These people deserve recognition and respect. From the first sight, their look does not seem deserving attention, however, this is not so.
Having raised hands in black gloves at the Olympic Games, they showed that even though the USA has many social problems, that black people are pressed and discriminated, they still have the power and if no one tries to stop this inequality in the USA black Americans are strong enough to do it. Tommie Smith and John Carlos wanted to show the American society first of all that having an opportunity to win the Olympic Games, they are ready to fight for their right not only at the sports arena.
Therefore, the action of Tommie Smith and John Carlos may be considered from two angles. First of all, they violated the rules and the norms of the Olympic Games, however, this was the final stage of despair when being pressed fro years, black Americans began to express their dissatisfaction.
This act was really important for the whole America society, for both black and white representatives. The black minority has shown that they are ready to fight. Moreover, this was not just the notification, it was the provocation. The final aim of this act was achieved and even though neither Tommie Smith nor John Carlos received their awards, they got much more from those Olympic Games.
The boxing fight Ali vs. Foreman called ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in 1974 is considered as the greatest fight in the history of boxing. The prehistory of this event is as follows, Muhammad Ali was a great boxer, however, being 32 he wanted to regain the world heavyweight title from George Foreman. George Foreman, in his turn, was unbeaten in 40 fights.
Everyone waited for that match and at the same time each one was afraid of that match as no one knew who was going to be at the ring and what the outcome of the fight would be. T is possible to dwell upon the reasons of that match for hors. The desire of the greatest boxer of all times to show that he is the greatest and the desire of the winner to become the greatest one having beaten Muhammad Ali are just the prepositions. 35 years have passed, however, that fight is considered as the best one.
15 rounds passed. 15 strongest and the most tense rounds in the whole history of boxing were the most tense for both, the supporters of Ali and Foreman. Each round brought new feelings and excitement, each round brought new worrying and despair. However, each round also brought the hope for victory.
It was impossible to remain careless while watching the boxing. The final round could be the last for one of them, when one of the fighters was almost blind and another one was really exhausted. The finish of the fight was a relief for all, the fighters and the audience. It is impossible to remember the same spectaculars fight as this one.
Muhammad Ali and George Foreman fought for the death not for the live having forgetting sometimes that they were just the competitors in sports. Aggression and cold calculation were the main supporters of the fight. Boxing is not just the fight of two people, it is the competition when two strong souls appear in one place and one of them should leave.
Boxing is not the desire to beat the competitor, the philosophy of boxing is more complicated that one may think. Boxing is the desire to become the winner, however, this is more than just a fight. The strength of will and the desire to win should support each of the boxers. Muhammad Ali and George Foreman both showed great desire for victory. The rounds they fought were remembered and many generations ahead are going to view the fight to try to become as great as these boxers.
In conclusion, this event has come in the history as one of the greatest boxing matches in the history of sports. Being called “rumble in the jungle” (“We’re still in awe of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman”) this fight supports the expression. This was like the rumble where two tigers of lions appeared in the fight trying to show who was the best.
The fight declared that Muhammad Ali was the best, however, watching the fight more and more it becomes obvious that many moments may be discussed and the greatness of the match is declared as a result of the work of two boxers, therefore, the title is not important in the case.
Once a documentary filmmaker Ken Burns said the following, “The future (of sports) lies behind us”. The first look at this phrase makes people disagree with it, however, a closer consideration of an issue change ones mind. As for me, I am sure that the future of the sports lies behind us as sports depends on the actions which have already been made. Different hockey and football leagues are based on the rules which have been implemented before.
Various kinds of sports and the format according to which each of the games is going to be conducted have also been declared before. Therefore, the future of the sports is the issue which has been declared before. Even the actions people make right now will be the part when the future of the sports is going to be stated.
Considering the future of sports as the contribution of the past, it is essential to consider such global events as Olympic Games. These games have been invented many centuries ago and nowadays the medals and awards received at this specific event still remain the most essential for many people. History remembers many periods of time, events, political regimes, etc.; however, Olympic Games remain as one of the most important events.
Rules and format of this event has been developed for many centuries. Different countries became acquainted with the Olympic Games and nowadays this is an international event which takes place each four years and attracts more and more participants and spectaculars than ever. Therefore, the Olympic Games event was promoted many centuries ago. And the statement about the behind lie of future is correct.
Moreover, kind of sports has personal leagues and championships. Each of these championships has its history of creation. Some of these stories are simple, others are created for the memory or honor of someone. This is exactly the case when the future of sports is created in the past.
Sports championships like human lives have history and this history is connected with people. These people worked hard for the benefit of different kinds of sports. Sportsmen, coaches, sponsors and other activists who took part in past sports championships contributed to the present sports and benefited to the future one. This is exactly the case. The whole human life is created out of the part. No future is possible without the past history.
The sports is the sequence of events which have been invented in the paste, developed and changed during some period of time, was based on some particular plans and only the future generations are able to make those plans come true.
I am sure that future of sports is impossible without its past destinations, however, the past would not also be that great if the future plans were not made. Therefore, the past and the future of sports are closely interconnected. Moreover, the future of the sports depends on its past and it cannot be refused.
The considered cases of Abebe Bikila, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, and Ali vs. Foreman are not the only notable events in the history of sports, however, these events were essential to the history of their development. Each kind of sports has its own event which has made it essential for society as not just the healthy activity, but as the specific social event and this event has created the reputation of the event having made it popular and interesting for the future generations.
Works Cited
Martin, Simon. “50 stunning Olympic moments No24: Abebe Bikila runs barefoot into history.” The Guardian. 2012. Web.
Martin, Simon. “50 stunning Olympic moments No13: Tommie Smith and John Carlos salute.” The Guardian. 2012. Web.
“We’re still in awe of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, 35 years on.” The Guardian. 2012. Web.