Rome Summer Games The first Summer Games covered by television worldwide. A record 5,348 athletes from 83 countries compete. 18-year-old boxer Cassius Clay—later to be known as Muhammad Ali—is the light heavyweight boxing champion. Ethiopian marathoner Abebe Bikila, running barefoot, becomes the first black African to take home a gold medal. American Wilma Rudolph wins three gold medals for running. After taking amphetamines, Danish cyclist Knuth Jensen collapses during a race, fatally fracturing his skull. The Soviets again lead the pack, with 103 medals (43 gold) to the Americans' 71 (34 gold).
