The Olympics is one of the most celebrated events by spectators across the globe. For over a century now, players have been preparing for the premier worldwide competition, putting their blood and sweat into practice following their quest to claim the top spot. As the athletes carry the heavy weight of expectations of their nation, they are also provided with immense facilities in current times. However, the situation was not so pleasant in the past. An exceptional 111-year-old journey of a legendary athlete recently caught the community’s attention. 

The Olympian’s feat marked him as one of the most etched names in the annals of sports history. He won gold using footwear picked from the trash. Despite the late track and field athlete’s hurdled journey, his unwavering passion vaulted him to the greatest heights of sports. 

Why did the Olympic legend wear shoes from the trash?

This story is about a Native American who won an Olympic Gold for the USA in 1912. In the late 1800s, Jim Thorpe grew up with racial discrimination and a difficult upbringing. Since he lost his twin when he was only 9 years old, his struggle days began. Soon after his brother’s precious loss, he again went through trauma, as both his parents lost their lives. Unfortunately, this made him an orphan for the rest of his life. Apart from his personal struggles, Thorpe also suffered quite some dilemmas as a track and field pro. His golden Olympics story recently grabbed the spotlight through a Facebook post, highlighting his extraordinary feat. 

However, he promised himself not to give up, even if he got imbalanced with obstacles in his path to success. Nonetheless, when someone stole his shoes when he was about to compete at the 1912 Olympics, Thorpe did not lose his calm. Rightly being said, “someone’s trash can be someone’s gold.” Consequently, he searched for shoes and found two different shoes separated from their pairs, in the trash can.

Undoubtedly, the legend did not hesitate to grab the pair of shoes. However, the problem still needed to be solved, as the size of one shoe did not match his feet. Jim wore several socks one over another to make the shoe fit into his toes. Although wearing two different socks on each leg, he was determined enough to take home the Olympic title. Undeterred, he went on to stand on the top podium and take home not one, but two gold medals in athletics for his country. 

The Aftermath: Breaking after the Olympics.

Soon after his Olympic success, Jim made an astonishing career in sports. However, once again, fortune took a sudden turn. During a post-season tour in Massachusetts, one of Thorpe’s coaches unveiled a secret. It disclosed that Jim played semi-pro baseball in 1909 and 1910 while earning a mere $5 per game, per sources. This sent shockwaves not only through Jim’s supporters but also through the sports world. Even though Thorpe insisted that he played for the love of the game and lacked an understanding of rules, AAU stripped his amateur status. Thereby declaring his Olympic medals forfeited. 

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Eventually, Thorpe’s friends, fueled by anger over his treatment, turned them towards Carlisle officials. Thus, over 200 students signed a petition urging the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to probe misconduct within the administration and athletic department. However, an inquiry officer dispatched by the Bureau of Indian Affairs exposed various issues, marking the turning point.

Although history had lost Jim’s Olympic medals and erased his name from records, the International Olympic Committee restored honors due to the persistent efforts of his family and supporters. In 1982, they recast these medals and presented them to Thorpe’s children, thereby returning him to the pinnacle of Olympic glory. Indeed, Jim Thorpe is not only a legendary player but also a source of inspiration for people motivated to conquer any situation in life.

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