MEET THE TEAM

Abdi Bile, a former World Champion, and Olympian middle-distance runner who holds the highest number of national records in athletics in Somalia across various disciplines. Born and raised in Las Anad, Somalia, Bile graduated from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia with a BS degree in Marketing Management.

 

In 1989, Bile defeated Britain's Sebastian Coe in the 1500m to win gold at the 1989 World Continental Cup. Bile won the NCAA 1500m in 1985 and 1987. Bile also won the Grand Prix Finals in 1987 and 1989.   Bile was ranked #1 Miler in the world in the mid-80s an era where the mile was so competitive and revolutionized after Roger Bannister under 4-minute Mile. In 1996 he represented Somalia at the 1996 Summer Olympics in the 1500 meters.

 

He is currently Somalia's national record holder in nine athletic disciplines. Thus far, Bile is Somalia’s most decorated athlete in history.

 

Bile has a distinguished career in coaching as the National Head Coach of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and UAE, Senior Endurance Coach at Aspire Academy as well as the Junior National Team Coach of Qatar. He was the co-founder and head coach of the Savannah International Training Center in Georgia, USA, sponsored by the International Olympics Solidarity Program. Bile conducted extensive clinics around the world, including the US Army 10 miler, Save the Children, various international Somali youth empowerment programs, as well as talks at the numerous US and global nonprofit organizations

​

ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS

• Participated in four (4) Olympic Games and Flag Bearer for Somalia

• World Champion: 1500M 1987

• World Cup Champion: 1500M

• Ranked #1 in the World 1989 – Mile

• World Championships 1993 - 1500M Bronze Medal

• Atlanta Olympics 1996 - 6th Place 1500M

• NCAA Champion 1985 and 1987 - 1500M

• African Athlete of the Year 1987

• Los Angeles Olympics 1984 - Finalist 1500M

• Grand Prix Finals Champion 1987 & 1989 - 1500M

• Goodwill Games Silver Medalist 1994 - Mile

​​

PERSONAL BESTS

• 800M - 1:43.60 (1989)

• 1000M - 2:14.50 (1989)

• 1500M - 3:30.55 (1989)

• 1 Mile - 3:49.40 (1988)

• 3000M - 7:42.19 (1994

​