26 Times in a Row

The Marathon has become a symbol of the Olympics. A modern-day addition to the Games, it commemorates the soldier who ran cross-country, in 490 B.C., to announce the Greek victory at Marathon and then died. Excellent film footage of the 1976 Olympic Marathon documents the physical demands of the race. Its emotional counterpart is related by Cierpinski, the event's 1976 gold medalist. This emotion-charged film proves that although the winner of the Decathlon is the best all-round athlete, the "toughest" is the winner of the Marathon.
Directed by Jean-Claude Labrecque -1978 | 24 min
About the NFB
The National Film Board of Canada produces and distributes documentary films, animation, web documentaries and fiction. Our stories explore the world we live in from a Canadian point of view.
Watch more free films on NFB.ca → bit.ly/YThpNFB
Subscribe to our newsletter → bit.ly/YTnwNFB
Follow us on Twitter → bit.ly/yttwNFB
Follow us on Facebook → bit.ly/ytfbNFB
Follow us on Instagram → bit.ly/2FdmRol
Download our free iOS Apps → apple.co/2dbva4h
Download our free Android Apps → bit.ly/2dbvHmO

[@UlloMark]

USA's Kardong deserves an Olympic medal...

[@mysticalmargaret6105]

And Frank Shorter deserves the gold. Cierpinski was a doped up cheat and he knows it. There's a reason that he refuses to do interviews. He knows the Olympic gold that he 'won' really belongs to Frank. He should've been stripped of both the 1976 and 1980 Olympic golds decades ago.

[@jeffreylancaster7571]

Always thought Rodgers would medal in '76! I used to run Boston back in the day (24 times with my 1st in 1976)) and followed the good ones very closely. I remember Jerome Drayton of Canada as being a bit skewed mentally. Billy and Rob de Castella will always be my favorites. The marathon is a very intense experience if you've trained to your maximum. I did 2:35's in '79 & '81 Boston and they were Olympic Gold Medals to me. God Bless those who give their all in the Marathon! You are all heroes!!

[@seer1623]

2:35? You’re no slouch either.

[@trwent]

Rodgers ate too many sardines.

[@seamusweber8298]

2:35 is a bloody good time!

[@BassPlyr23]

If any concrete proof comes to light about Cierpinski cheating and he’s stripped of the gold medal, two notable things will happen: 1) Don Kardong, the American who finished 4th in this race, will win the bronze here 2) Not only will Frank Shorter equal the great Abebe Bikila’s record for two straight Olympic wins, but the runners who finished 1-2 in Munich - Shorter and Belgium’s Karel Lismont - will have finished 1-2 in consecutive Olympic races.

[@SergeLabelle]

The music is by the great composer from Montreal: Andre Gagnon.

[@DGarcia879]

but i cant seem to find the marathon theme itself on youtube

[@jamesfleming5849]

I remember watching it live.This is years before I came to love running.I was a kid.Shorter was the perceived best and favorite at that time.Cierpinski made the best look like a boy Scout struggling to stay up.He looked as if he could of gone on another marathon after this one at the same pace.I I knew something was very very wrong.Well now we indisputably know.At least the rational among us do.

[@mysticalmargaret6105]

Cierpinkski knows he's not a true Olympic champion. Frank Shorter is. All former East German athletes who were part of the GDR's doping scheme should have been stripped of their ill-gotten Olympic medals years ago.

[@timcronin3557]

Frank SHOULD have been given the GOLD

[@seamusweber8298]

Always admired Waldemar Cierpinskis running style and cadence. Smooth, relaxed and metronomic.

[@ChandlerWrites]

Frank Shorter -- two-time Olympic gold medalist in the marathon

[@amauris9195]

Tom Chandler nah 1 gold 1 silver

[@alejandrotorres712]

Revelry in the dark I think it’s a joke because it seemed like Shorter finished when Cierpinski kept running

[@cy8685]

@@amauris9195 Tom Chandler is probably discounting Cierpinski because he was a known cheat.

[@manueljimenezhernandez4985]

@@cy8685 Yes, I think so... the RDA was a paradise's about doping. Shorter was natural.

[@runcaz7802]

Alejandro Torres: It's not meant as a joke. Officially Shorter does have two gold medals as Cierpinski was stripped of his gold years later when records uncovered that he had been taking something illegal.

[@Vacuumburner]

dope user, just as in 1980.gerard nijboer winner in 1980!!

[@BenAdams4331]

Very inspirational to move up to the marathon distance, after high school.

[@TheTrailrunner8]

Muy emotivo (con la BSO de running). Enhorabuena a los tres españoles que participaron en éste maratón olímpico!.

[@sailshane]

How do you not have a winning ribbon for the winner to break as he crosses the line.....what an embarrassing moment for the Olympics from the inept host country !!!

[@pja123pja]

The toughest runner? Lasse Viren: 1st @ 5000m; 1st @ 10000m; 5th @ marathon. Now that's crazy tough.

[@seer1623]

Don’t forget Zatopek, he won the triple.

[@pja123pja]

@@seer1623 yes! How could I forget zatopek. His pain threshold had to have been at the very top!

[@seer1623]

And apparently he was so likeable his opponents celebrated with him ☺️

[@petergriffin2513]

Viren wasn’t doping....just expected to win the 5k, 10k, and marathon....😂😂😂! Viren should be honest about his doping. It’s a shame he never will be!

[@petergriffin2513]

Antin Talli are you ignorant? Just do a little research on the AAU. Also, blood doping wasn’t illegal in 1980...Jesus. Get a clue. Cheating was never ok. Even if Viren cheating wasn’t technically illegal. Further, is there a list of Finnish accomplishments over the McDonald Americans since 1976...I’ll wait...

[@lulolancy]

He ran 1-lap to many because the fucking drugs wouldn't wear off.

[@renesapo5129]

EAST GERMAN IS DOOPER!

[@cy8685]

15:10 - Cierpinski said, ".... I could feel him weakening, but I still seem to have reserves of strength." Of course you did. That's what drugs do for you.

[@lulolancy]

He ran 1-lap to many because the fucking drugs wouldn't wear off.

[@gaelgarciabernal2434]

Only lame idiots speculate like you do.

[@hugorivarolamedina6172]

What kind of drugs? Do You have any evidence,?

[@cy8685]

It’s a known fact in the elite running community. Ask Frank Shorter about it. Or any other top runner at the 1976 Olympics.

[@hugorivarolamedina6172]

@@cy8685 and evidence are??

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

Sierpinski was dopelicious. Frank was dismayed.

[@hugorivarolamedina6172]

Dopped with what?

[@osbon]

Cierpinski was a DRUG CHEAT. Shorter is the champion.

[@anitabosse]

Organisation of African Unity boycott. No African country took place in this edition of Olympic Games

[@PresleyPerswain]

Of course we now know that the DDR was conducting a massive, state-enforced Olympic doping campaign for decades. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doping_in_East_Germany

[@gaelgarciabernal2434]

Wikipedia is your source, lol! A source full of sweeping generalizations and limited details. You can't prove or substantiate anything as it pertains to Waldemar Cierpinski.

[@seamusweber8298]

USA had a doping program too. Dr.Wade Exum revealed what USA were doing and their doping.

[@francisvaillancourt100]

What's the name of the song playing?

[@brianflanders3706]

There is no bench in running.

[@rockfordmckay9365]

Give Shorter the Gold and Kardong the Bronze. Erase the record of drugged up cheaters. If that East German had any class, he would give back his medals. They must be rusted so bad from the tarnish now. Sad to see the IOC turn a blind eye, still after all these years. It took a black sprinter from Canada for them to finally say enough is enough about the cheating. Don't get me started about the blood doping that happened at these games too. Also when you see the un-natural muscle bound East German woman swimmers ready to give you @#@ kicking if you look at them wrong, I say these were truly the beginning of the drugged up Olympic Games.

[@seamusweber8298]

USA ran a doping program too. Dr. Wade Exum confirmed that American athletes doped, and the positive dope tests results were deliberately buried. Therefore be careful about accusing others who may have doped, American athletes doped also.

[@bearmerica6668]

Wow, the power of drugs. Congrats, lol.

[@roberteckles1037]

Why publish this about a cheat/doper?

[@thomasdel-bosco8815]

All top athletes of every age and era, are and were on some kind of performance enhancers since the dawn of time. Sincerely, Tom.

[@josieldeassis]

6:09 It's not "unknown", it was Pheidippides. Just read the History books before say a comment

[@erichhonecker8548]

God bless you Waldemar Cierpinski. You are a true hero and a two time Olympic Champion! Even now in 2020 you are an inspiration and always will be!

[@holtw4074]

Two time phony champion

[@nidabatayan3047]

Massive fraudulent cheater

[@jameskranig8922]

Herr Honecker, I thought you had passed away when Krenz smothered you with a pillow. Were you saved by doping like Cierpinski?

[@seamusweber8298]

@erich, I didn't realise that you are still with us. I thought you died in Chile or wherever it was you ended up in. Good to see that you're alive and kicking😊

[@homelessmans2cents675]

He had "reserves of strength" because he was taking more drugs than a race horse :-P

[@johndevine8689]

Doping for Gold.

[@joedrumer9029]

16:42 AH NO, THANKS FOR WATCHING::::::::

[@RaulLopez-bu8yk]

Leave alone Cierpinski, remember that Phelps used to smoke Marihuana to win

[@trwent]

Marijuana is not a PED.

[@lulolancy]

I don't know what was worse for Shorter, having an abusive father or losing a gold medal to a drug cheat.

[@josieldeassis]

I just hope he's NOT read your comment. That'd be the WORST of all.

[@jakeyell]

This video is infuriating...

[@michaeldavies4871]

The should have been stripped of his medals.

[@regularguy3202]

Shorter was Trump before Trump got shafted in 20. I love you Frank. You inspired a young kid to run. I love you Trump because you taught me to have courage in a world full of cowards.

[@mikenealon4042]

montreal'76, anything eastern bloc 💉.

[@michaellynn683]

"I don't know anything about track and field, but I get on KZbin and the only comment I have is that everyone is/was doing drugs." Just go away. Why say anything unless you have something valid and constructive to say. Stick with things you know about.

[@josephkennedy1954]

Michael Lynn let’s leave it at you don’t know anything about track and field😂

[@degreeO]

I ran track in high school and at university. My specialty at university was the 3000m steeplechase, later I ran 10k road races. Cierpinski was doped. All of the East Germans were doped, whether they wanted to dope or not. They East Germans ran horrific experiments on their "B" teams. These experiments, undisclosed to the athletes, caused terrible and lifelong problems, all for the transient glory of Olympic success. Cierpinski doped victory was paid for by all sorts of pain. Total disgrace.

[@seamusweber8298]

​@@degreeOUSA had their own doping program too. Dr.Wade Exum stated as much. Be careful when accusing others.