June 12 Birthdays

1932
Mamo Wolde, Ethiopia, distance runner. It's true that Wolde ran the 800m, 1,500m, and 4 x 400m relay for Ethiopia at the 1956 (Melbourne) Olympic games, but it is also true that the Ethiopian government was disappointed with the showing of the team that year and essentially de-funded athletics till 1960. Wolde did distinguish himself in the 1964 (Tokyo) Olympic games, finishing fourth in the 10,000m (28:31.8). In the 1968 (Mexico City) Olympic games, Wolde took the silver medal in the 10,000m (29:27.75), and then a week later won the Olympic marathon (2:20:26.4). Wolde came back four years later, at age 40, to place third in the 1972 (Munich) Olympic marathon, running 2:15:08.4 to win the bronze medal.