03-12-2007

Heroes’ tombs desecrated

Capital Staff Writer

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - The tombstones of former Olympics marathon gold medalists Abebe Bikila and Mamo Wolde were this week desecrated by unknown persons, it was learnt.

The two athletes, who won Olympic gold in Tokyo, Rome and Mexico, were laid to rest at the cemetery in St Joseph’s church. According to Abeselom Yihdego, long standing athletics supporter, philanthropist and owner of Keste Damena Foam Factory, the tombstones were torn down during the evening.

“I heard about the situation on Thursday morning and when I reached the spot, the life size statues of both athletes were cut from the legs. My father’s statue was especially damaged and that is a very sad thing,” Samuel Mamo, son of Major Mamo Wolde said.

“Several people including famous athletes like Haile Genreselassie were at the scene and they were all very sad. Other elderly women who were at the church for another funeral saw the situation and were crying. The two athletes made history at a time when they weren’t able to receive any personal benefit and they should be respected. The families of both athletes are very sad and I believe that a person in his right mind won’t do anything like this,” said a very sad Samuel.

Samuel believes that the life size statues do not belong to the two families or to the athletes themselves, but to the Ethiopian people. He also said that he had taken tourists and journalists to the burial places several times.

“We heard about the tombstones from the guards. What makes the matter very sad is that the tombstones were made of concrete and would be worthless once they were destroyed. I built these tombstones because I wanted to inspire this generation into trying to become like them,” Abeselom said.

Abebe’s tombstone was built 32 years ago while Mamo’s was built five years ago. Abeselom had hired a guard for the tombstones for the past 20 years, but following the guard’s death, a replacement had not been hired.
“Police have been informed about the matter and they are investigating the case. I will surely build these tombstones again,” Abeselom said.

In 1964, Abebe Bikila stunned the world by winning the Tokyo Olympics running bare foot, to win Ethiopia and Africa its first Olympic gold medal. Abebe also set world and Olympic marathon records.
Four years later (1968), the Ethiopian returned for the Rome Olympics, this time wearing track shoes. He won the race with relative ease and again set a new world and Olympic marathon record.

As if two Olympic gold medals were not enough, Abebe was still up and ready to run in his third Olympic marathon. Two weeks before the race however, Abebe underwent an operation for appendicitis, but that didn’t stop him from running the race. Midway through the race though, Abebe was unable to finish and knowing this, he whispered a word to his friend and compatriot Mamo Wolde. “I am feeling sick and I can’t continue running, but you have to continue and win the race and make sure that the Ethiopian flag keeps on flying in the medal table,”

That is how a new Olympic champion was found in Mamo Wolde. Before winning the marathon in the same Olympics, Mamo had finished second in the 10,000 meters.

Though Abebe could never give up running, he was forced to by a car accident which left him in a wheelchair. After being paralyzed from the waist down, Abebe continued sports as an archer until the day he died.
The entire nation is shocked by the crazed action of these unknown culprits and hopes that they will soon be brought to justice.