John Akii-Bua

John Akii-Bua (December 3, 1949 - June 20, 1997) was a Ugandan hurdler and the first Olympic champion from his country.

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Akii-Bua started his athletic career as a hurdler on the short distance, but coached by British-born 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, setting a World Record time of 47.82 s. A spectator handed him a Ugandan flag, and Akii-Bua accepted it and ran around the track with it unfurled, beginning a 'victory lap' tradition.

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The government of Uganda did not appreciate the attention the athlete received, however, and placed him under house arrest. After missing the 1976 Olympics because of the African boycott, police officer Akii-Bua was even arrested . Eventually, he was freed by his shoe-manufacturer Puma and lived in Germany until the regime of Idi Amin ended in 1979.

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Akii-Bua died a widower, survived by 11 of his children. He was given a state funeral.

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1949: 1949 is a common year starting on Saturday....

June 20: June 20 is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 194 days remaining....

1997: 1997 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar....

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