John Akii-Bua
9/2/1972-Munich, Germany- Uganda’s John Akii-Bua ( (December 3, 1949 – June 20, 1997) kisses his gold medal out of sheer joy during the awards ceremony following his win in the 400-meter hurdles event.
Akii-Bua’s winning time of 47.82 seconds was a new world record for the event. Akii-Bua was the first African to win gold in an event under 800 metres. He was also the first man to break the 48 seconds barrier in the 400 metre hurdles, an event so gruelling its nickname is ‘The Mankiller’. John Akii-Bua, is recognized as inventing the victory lap. After winning gold at the 1972 Olympics in the 400m hurdles he was so overwhelmed with joy that when a spectator handed him a Ugandan flag, he ran around the track waving the flag, the first ever victory lap - beginning the victor’s ‘lap of honour’ tradition.
Akii-Bua’s winning time of 47.82 seconds was a new world record for the event. Akii-Bua was the first African to win gold in an event under 800 metres. He was also the first man to break the 48 seconds barrier in the 400 metre hurdles, an event so gruelling its nickname is ‘The Mankiller’. John Akii-Bua, is recognized as inventing the victory lap. After winning gold at the 1972 Olympics in the 400m hurdles he was so overwhelmed with joy that when a spectator handed him a Ugandan flag, he ran around the track waving the flag, the first ever victory lap - beginning the victor’s ‘lap of honour’ tradition.
