ENDF chief of staff visits Athlete Abebe Bikila memorial plaque in Rome

Addis Ababa, May 24, 2024 (FBC) – The Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, has paid a visit to the memorial plaque dedicated to the renowned Ethiopian athlete Abebe Bikila in Rome, Italy.

The ENDF chief’s visit comes as part of his ongoing working trip to Italy, where he was invited by his Italian counterpart, Giuseppe Cavo Dragone.

The visit to Abebe Bikila’s memorial is seen as a significant gesture, as it allows the Ethiopian delegation to gain a deeper understanding of the athlete’s remarkable story and legacy, according to the Ethiopian Embassy in Rome.

Abebe Bikila, the first African to win an Olympic gold medal, achieved this historic feat at the 1960 Rome Olympics. His triumph not only brought immense pride to Ethiopia and Africa but also served to strengthen the close ties between the two nations.

Note that the Abebe Bikila memorial plaque was unveiled by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during his visit to Italy in July 2023, further cementing the enduring legacy of this iconic Ethiopian sportsman.