September 10

On 10 September 1936, the inaugural World Individual Motorcycle Speedway Championship was held at Wembley Stadium in London, marking a major milestone in professional motorcycle racing. The event featured top riders from Britain, Australia, and other European nations competing on an oval dirt track. Australian champion Lionel Van Praag emerged victorious after a series of intense heat races and a dramatic final showdown. The championship drew a crowd of over 85,000 spectators, showcasing the sport's thrilling blend of speed and skill. It established a global standard for speedway racing and laid the groundwork for annual world championship competitions.

Abebe Bikila stunned the world by running the marathon barefoot at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. His victory marked the first Olympic gold medal won by a sub-Saharan African athlete. Bikila’s triumph not only showcased his extraordinary endurance and willpower but also inspired a generation of African runners. Against the backdrop of the Cold War era Games, his achievement carried profound symbolic weight. He finished in 2:15:16, setting a new world record. Bikila’s story remains a defining moment in Olympic and athletics history.

At the 1961 Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Ferrari driver Wolfgang von Trips lost control of his car and collided with the barriers, launching into a spectator area. The tragedy claimed the lives of von Trips and 15 onlookers, marking the most catastrophic accident in Formula One history. Safety standards in motorsport were rudimentary at the time, and this event underscored the urgent need for improved track protections. The incident sent shockwaves through the racing community, leading to gradual reforms in circuit design and vehicle safety. Von Trips had been leading the World Championship standings before his untimely death, further emphasizing the scale of the loss.