sport.wikisort.org - Athlete

John Akii-Bua (3 December 1949 – 20 June 1997) was a Ugandan hurdler and the first Olympic champion from his country Uganda and Africa at large.[1] In 1986, he was a recipient of the Silver Olympic Order.[2]

John Akii-Bua

John Akii-Bua c. 1972
Personal information
Born	3 December 1949 Abako, Uganda
Died	20 June 1997 (aged 47) Kampala, Uganda
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	77 kg (170 lb)
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	400 m, 400 m hurdles
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	400 m – 45.82 (1976) 400 mH – 47.82 (1972)
Medal record Representing  Uganda Olympic Games 1972 Munich 400 m hurdles All-Africa Games 1973 Lagos 400 m hurdles 1978 Algiers 400 m hurdles

Biography

Akii-Bua was raised in a family of 43 children from one father and his eight wives.[3][4] Akii-Bua started his athletic career as a short-distance hurdler, but failed to qualify for the 1968 Olympics.[4] Coached by British-born athletics coach Malcolm Arnold, he was introduced to the 400 meter hurdles.[5] After finishing fourth in the 1970 Commonwealth Games and running the fastest time of 1971, he was not a big favourite for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, having limited competitive experience. Nevertheless, he won the final there, setting a world record time of 47.82 seconds despite running on the inside lane. He missed the 1976 Olympics and a showdown with United States rival Edwin Moses because of the boycott by Uganda and other African nations.[4]

As a police officer, Akii-Bua was promoted by Ugandan president Idi Amin and given a house as a reward for his athletic prowess. When the Amin regime was collapsing, he fled to Kenya with his family, fearful that he would be seen as a collaborator; this was more likely because he was a member of the Langi tribe, many of whom were persecuted by Amin,[6] whereas Akii-Bua was cited by Amin as an example of a Langi who was doing well. However, in Kenya he was put into a refugee camp. From there, he was freed by his shoe-manufacturer Puma and lived in Germany working for Puma for 3–4 years. He represented Uganda once again at the 1980 Summer Olympics.[4] Later he returned to Uganda and became a coach.[7]

Akii-Bua died a widower, at the age of 47, survived by eleven children. He was given a state funeral.[5] His nephew is international footballer David Obua, and his brother Lawrence Ogwang competed in the long jump and triple jump at the 1956 Olympics.[4]

The phrase "akii-buas" has come to colloquially mean "runs" in Uganda.[8]

References

External links

• Profile

Sporting positions
Preceded by Ralph Mann	Men's 400 m Hurdles Best Year Performance 1972 – 1973	Succeeded by Jim Bolding

На других языках

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- [en] John Akii-Bua

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[fr] John Akii-Bua

John Akii-Bua (né le 3 décembre 1949 à Abako et mort le 20 juin 1997 à Kampala) est un athlète ougandais, spécialiste du 400 mètres haies.

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[it] John Akii-Bua

John Charles Akii-Bua (Lira, 3 dicembre 1949 – Kampala, 20 giugno 1997) è stato un ostacolista ugandese, vincitore della medaglia d'oro nei 400 metri ostacoli ai Giochi olimpici di Monaco di Baviera 1972.

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[ru] Акии-Буа, Джон

Джон Акии-Буа (англ. John Akii-Bua, 3 декабря 1949 (1949-12-03), Лира — 20 июня 1997, Кампала) — легкоатлет из Уганды, олимпийский чемпион 1972 года в беге на 400 метров с барьерами. Стал первым в истории Уганды олимпийским чемпионом. Второе золото угандийцы выиграли лишь через 40 лет на Играх в Лондоне (Стивен Кипротич в марафоне).

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