John Akii-Bua
Encyclopedia
John Akii-Bua was a Uganda
n hurdler and the first Olympic
champion from his country.
Akii-Bua started his athletic career as a hurdler on the short distance, but coached by British-born athletics coach Malcolm Arnold
, he was introduced to the 400 m hurdles. After finishing 4th in the 1970 Commonwealth Games
and running the fastest season time in 1971, he was not a big favourite for the 1972 Summer Olympics
in Munich
, having limited competition experience. Nevertheless he won the final there, running the inside lane, setting a world record time of 47.82 seconds. A spectator handed him a Ugandan flag, and Akii-Bua accepted it and ran around the track with it unfurled, beginning the victor's 'lap of honour' tradition.. He missed the 1976 Olympics
and a show down with American rival Edwin Moses
due to a boycott of African nations including Uganda.
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, 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 before returning to Uganda and becoming a coach.
Akii-Bua died a widower, at the age of 47, survived by 11 of his children. He was given a state funeral.
His nephew is international footballer David Obua
.
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
n hurdler and the first Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
champion from his country.
Akii-Bua started his athletic career as a hurdler on the short distance, but coached by British-born athletics coach Malcolm Arnold
Malcolm Arnold (athletics coach)
Malcolm Arnold is an Athletics coach working for UK Athletics and its predecessors since 1974. Currently, he is the National Event Coach for Hurdles and Senior Performance Coach for UK Athletics. He has attended every Olympic Games since Mexico City in 1968, 11 in all, as a coach to National Teams...
, he was introduced to the 400 m hurdles. After finishing 4th in the 1970 Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
and running the fastest season time in 1971, he was not a big favourite for the 1972 Summer Olympics
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, having limited competition experience. Nevertheless he won the final there, running the inside lane, setting a world record time of 47.82 seconds. A spectator handed him a Ugandan flag, and Akii-Bua accepted it and ran around the track with it unfurled, beginning the victor's 'lap of honour' tradition.. He missed the 1976 Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
and a show down with American rival Edwin Moses
Edwin Moses
Edwin Corley Moses is an American track and field athlete who won gold medals in the 400 metre hurdles at the 1976 and 1984 Olympics. Between 1977 and 1987, Moses won 107 consecutive finals and set the world record in his event four times...
due to a boycott of African nations including Uganda.
As a police officer, Akii-Bua was promoted by Ugandan president Idi Amin
Idi Amin
Idi Amin Dada was a military leader and President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Amin joined the British colonial regiment, the King's African Rifles in 1946. Eventually he held the rank of Major General in the post-colonial Ugandan Army and became its Commander before seizing power in the military...
, and given a house, as a reward for his athletic prowess. When the Amin regime was collapsing, he fled to Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
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, 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
PUMA AG
Puma SE, officially branded as PUMA, is a major German multinational company that produces high-end athletic shoes, lifestyle footwear and other sportswear. Formed in 1924 as Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik by Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, relationships between the two brothers deteriorated until the two...
and lived in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
working for Puma for 3–4 years before returning to Uganda and becoming a coach.
Akii-Bua died a widower, at the age of 47, survived by 11 of his children. He was given a state funeral.
His nephew is international footballer David Obua
David Obua
David Obua is a Ugandan footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Hearts and the Uganda national team.Having arrived at Hearts as a left wing-back, Obua has primarily been used as a left-sided midfield player, although he has also played a number of times as a striker.-Club career:Born...
.