Ethiopia has won the most Olympic men’s marathon gold medals.
Ethiopia’s victories came through Abebe Bikila in 1960 and 1964, and Mamo Wolde in 1968. Bikila became the first athlete to win the Olympic marathon twice, while Wolde continued Ethiopia’s dominance at the Mexico City Games.
Bikila’s 1960 victory in Rome was historic for another reason: he ran barefoot after finding the available shoes uncomfortable. Four years later in Tokyo, he defended his title only six weeks after an appendectomy and set an Olympic record of 2:12:11.2.
Ethiopia’s total is often confused with Kenya’s strong Olympic record. Kenya has won several men’s marathon medals, including gold at the 2000, 2004 and 2016 Games, but Ethiopia’s three golds remain the highest national total in the men’s event.