Fighting to Reinstate an Indigenous Athlete's Olympic Titles

Legendary Native American athlete Jim Thorpe won 2 gold medals in the 1912 Olympics, but was stripped of his titles on a technicality - now, more than 100 years later, there’s a growing effort to have them reinstated.
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You can join the growing call to have Jim Thorpe's Olympic record corrected at petition.brightpathstrong.com.
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[@Yesnog05]

In my history class in high school, my teacher gave us an assignment to do a presentation on our favorite historical figure. My classmate introduced us to Jim Thorpe and he was native american as well. When he told us the story of how he won and lost his gold medals, we were all shocked we never heard about it. And I'll never forget how he closed his presentation. "Jim Thorpe was my grandpas hero, my dads hero, and my hero. He was like Michael Jordan to african-americans, the Bruce Lee to asian-americans, and the Oscar De La Hoya to mexican-americans. I just wished Jim Thorpe received the same treatment as they did."

[@vladimir-savage72]

That was wonderful. Thanks for sharing some very interesting history.

[@thechumpsbeendumped.7797]

Steve I don’t understand your comment?

[@TahtahmesDiary]

Its been a long hard road and serious fight for all of us, and clearly the fight isn't over.

[@spthibault]

@Steve Steve, idk if you intended this but you sound like a horrible person. Why does her ethnicity and/or race have bearing on her very wholesome comment?

[@spthibault]

@Steve win what? What are you talking about? Maybe you have dysphagia?

[@geelllee]

he was sabotaged the whole way what a disgusting injustice

[@erikduvald6703]

The Olympic committee stripped him of his medals, for not being an amateur athlete. MARIKA KILIUS and HANS-JÜRGEN BÄUMLER lost their medals as late as 1964, for the very same reasons. - They had not even earned any money doing their sport, but signed a contract with Disney, to start working AFTER the games were over. (So, unlike Thorpe, who actually made money, they lost their medals on a pure technicality). You had to be 100% AMATEUR, to be allowed to compete in the Olympics at the time. Those rules were applied to everyone, and there was nothing odd about it.

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

Disgraceful! His medals & wins should be returned to his family. His name should be in the history books for all the right reasons. Sadly, it doesn't surprise me.

[@moonbook12]

Agree

[@kopyqat8641]

@Steve who are you?

[@erikduvald6703]

The Olympic committee stripped him of his medals, for not being an amateur athlete. MARIKA KILIUS and HANS-JÜRGEN BÄUMLER lost their medals as late as 1964, for the very same reasons. (They had not even earned any money doing their sport, but signed a contract with Disney, to start working AFTER the games were over). You had to be 100% AMATEUR, to be allowed to compete in the Olympics at the time. Those rules were applied to everyone, and there was nothing odd about it.

[@alexandre069]

He was probably the first native american to win a gold medal in the olympics I wonder if the guiness book could celebrate that too

[@Drewski_ZA]

Yup... alot of the "world records" look the other way for favorable sounding titles back then.

[@alexandre069]

@@Drewski_ZA yeah thats why I was wandering if it was possible to retroactivly acknoledge his world record, if it is one.

[@alexandre069]

@Namasta Man I don't mind personnaly.

[@ilive4anime.]

You have to pay to be in that book. If anyone wants to be a record holder, they have pay for it. They also get nothing for it other than thier name known

[@alexandre069]

@@ilive4anime. ho! I didn't know thatbut even if it is a paid service it can still help to promote the image to the people who break or set those record so I guess there is something in return for them

[@mdungethulile]

He wasn’t white enough that’s why.

[@highviewbarbell]

tbh, I've known about jim Thorpe since I was a kid but never heard about any of this, just that he was a legend and there's a town in PA named after him. Might've been an issue in his own time but he's certainly acknowledged today

[@dcthomas2826]

Yep.

[@misterman2830]

@@highviewbarbell If he's acknowledged today why is his family still fighting for his medals to be reinstated?

[@highviewbarbell]

@@misterman2830 idk i guess i assumed when there was a pretty popular tourist destination town named after him that it had all been taken care of already, sad news

[@jf683]

He deserves his medal reinstated and a statue to remind us all not to allow this type of injustice ever ever again

[@weemeemoo]

Love this idea!

[@brandondrye7477]

He does have a statue... not from the Olympics... but in Canton at the pro football hall of fame... he's the first person that greets you as you enter

[@erikduvald6703]

The Olympic committee stripped him of his medals, for not being an amateur athlete. MARIKA KILIUS and HANS-JÜRGEN BÄUMLER lost their medals as late as 1964, for the very same reasons. (They had not even earned any money doing their sport, but signed a contract with Disney, to start working AFTER the games were over). You had to be 100% AMATEUR, to be allowed to compete in the Olympics at the time. Those rules were applied to everyone, and there was nothing odd about it.

[@bobcrestwood740]

Reinstatement long overdue -- should have happened during his lifetime. Pro athletes now compete in the Olympics anyway, many are millionaires. This guy was a pauper, didn't get any of the money from the sports he played before the Olympics. He was probably the greatest all-around athlete in history, excelled at all track and field events, baseball, and football, and he co-founded the NFL. Give the guy the credit he deserves!

[@DJCannon5]

he also won awards at dancing and billiards and fought for the rights of native actors in Hollywood, and probably did more. One of the most amazing humans to exist, its like theft for the future to not know his legacy.

[@El-VULTURE.LOCO13]

They don’t want real Indians to be represented in sports that’s why they got rid of the redskins but kept the Vikings and cowboys. Us Indians are supposed to be quiet on the reservation.

[@dexterbernard2701]

The person who fought to not return his medals was thoroughly beaten by him in Olympic competition, Avery Brundage. (He) also participated in 1912 Games and he became the head of the IOC that refused to recognize Mr. Thorpe's accomplishment.

[@raypangyong965]

What a disgrace

[@robertkeesecker5693]

I did not know that. However, I knew at the time of Avery Brundage's so-called leadership of the IOC that he ushered in the age of accelerated IOC corruption. Avery Brundage is THE reason I lost interest in the Olympics. IOC corruption just grew from that point. Jim Thorpe was a one-of-a-kind human being. His greatness is difficult to put into words.

[@robbiesdad1]

typical

[@5350nbrookmist]

The original GOAT.

[@dark14life]

He really was.

[@nateb452]

That's right he was a real native American warrior the home of the brave

[@pdotthadon1426]

ALWAYS WILL BE THE GOAT

[@user-un6rs8lu9h]

Yes

[@kiowahorse2561]

Jim Thorpe is hands down the greatest Olympic athlete, let me rephrase, the greatest ATHLETE in this country's history. Research the Olympic games for the year he participated and also his athletic accomplishments outside of his Olympic medals. This native could play and play at an elite level any and all sports. He was truly amazing.

[@vladimir-savage72]

Truly he was the best of his era.

[@kiowahorse2561]

@@vladimir-savage72 One could make the argument Jim Thorpe is the greatest athlete of all time. I believe this to be true.

[@sabin97]

the real tragedy isnt that he was stripped of some medals or titles. the real tragedy is that as an american he wasnt even able to compete for his nation. he had to compete for usa.

[@nolan4826]

No, I think athletes are getting faster and stronger. Sure what he did was pretty amazing but he isn’t the best

[@kiowahorse2561]

@@nolan4826 "The athletes of today" argument imo is asinine because there is no way you can say that the greatest athletes from past generations would not compete with present athletes if they were provided with all the knowledge and technology accessible to present day athletes that make them bigger and stronger. There are very few athletes that the general public considers to have the "GOAT" status and Jim Thorpe's name deserves to be in that argument.

[@michaell8722]

The whole concept of “Olympic Amateurism” is a joke, the amateur rule was put in place to give people of privilege and wealth (who were self sufficient and had unlimited time to train) an advantage over the common man (who had to work for a living) and had limited time and resources to train and compete.

[@jfm14]

Good point.

[@faithlesshound5621]

That was the era of "shamateurism," when some employers would give promising athletes or sportsmen a job and an income but allow them plenty of time off to train and compete. Of course, that was before the kind of intensive training that we have today.

[@davekorus]

This is why I just ignore people complaining about Olympics for being too commercialized. They are in a sense encouraging olympic amateurism.

[@jorge6207]

Thorpe has been admired and respected for years in Athletics all over the world. This has been discussed for decades. But it's nice for you to get into it by now. Also, Thorpe won the decathlon with 8413 points, setting the world record at the time (it corresponds to 6564 pts. after the 1985 reform). Despite what the IOC says, Thorpe is the 1912 Olympic Champion and will always be.

[@sabin97]

the real tragedy isnt that he was stripped of some medals or titles. the real tragedy is that as an american he wasnt even able to compete for his nation. he had to compete for usa.

[@andreawalker7138]

I signed the petition. Those medals and wins belong to him. Let's right this wrong.

[@sabin97]

to him and his nation. usa keeps stealing credits and resources from other nations.....

[@hughjaass3787]

The first book I ever read in my life at age 5, was about Thorpe, who like me, was a Native American athlete.

[@spookyboi8446]

One of if not the greatest pure sports athlete ever. The NFL wouldnt exist without him. (He was the real Most Interesting Man)

[@lonewolfgamingplus379]

Every native who participates in sports.. his spirit lives in them and he would be proud of his legacy..

[@harshithsadhana7475]

We need more stories to be told.

[@SRuffin]

This is not surprising! So sad to have your accomplishments just ripped away from you. Happened a lot in this country for several decades.

[@infinitysteppingstone331]

Thx do keeping us informed. May justice prevail for him.

[@kegsofvomitspit]

My father was born in 1925 and was an extremely accomplished athlete and coach of multiple popular sports (football, basketball, baseball, track & field). His nose was a hot mess from being broken playing leather head ball with no mask for years. He absolutely loved and revered Jim Thorpe for his athleticism and personal demeanor and I can’t tell you how many times I heard my pops rail against those whose wrongfully stole Jim’s hard earned accomplishments.

[@videosuchen]

Jim Thorpe was one of the greatest all-around athletes of all time. He only started training the decathlon just before the 1912 Olympic Games and became a two-time Olympic champion. He was also a great baseball player and basketball and football player. I was also a track and field athlete 50 years ago and Jim was my role model. Greetings from Germany.

[@jonwik7056]

give his honour back

[@lakechamp529]

The Olympics have always been fraught with controversy. Jim Thorpe will always be a champion.

[@seanmurray4966]

Who was the one person who disliked this? Bet it was the IOC!

[@sahirygnobehi6448]

Ooo really. Chile, you a hot mess 😆😆😆

[@DarknessFalls29]

Or the descendants of the shoe thief!

[@SheenaSpeaks]

My grandma lived across the street from his son. That family is wonderful and Jim deserves his titles and more.

[@CarlosRodriguez-dd4sb]

Thinly veiled discrimination

[@darrylbrooks9365]

And to add insult to injury, in his 1951 bio-pic, "Jim Thorpe - All American," his character was played by Burt Lancaster - the late actor I respect (it was 1951), but come on Hollywood!

[@robbiesdad1]

they should remake the movie, with a Native American, to help plush to get his status reinstated, they only took his Medals because, he was Native American.

[@jaydisqus3353]

Easily one of the greatest athletes in our history.

[@AccidentalLyrics]

I am very glad Jim Thorpe was reinstated. He deserved it. He was the greatest athlete that ever loved.

[@quinndawsonosgood5261]

This should have happened 25 years ago. Simple as that. Greatest Athlete in the first half of American History

[@AmirASD]

The problem wasn't that he wasn't white, the problem was that he was better then white. Way better. Amazing, with or without medals.

[@Nebuchanezz]

This “conversation” narrative is distracting. Just give the man his dues without the terrible voice acting. Jim Thorp is a legend and needs his recognition without all this extra bs

[@shawnie2084]

I had to mute it and just read the words after like 30 seconds, they are terrible.

[@lindaleelaw5277]

Sewanahaka High School , Floral Park, Long Island, N.Y. Jim graduated from there and we are proud! Restore his good name! Now! As a graduate, I assure you THIS will be sent to Alumni .

[@tigerlilly9038]

I never knew this, my God.

[@josephmyers5057]

Probably the most tragic story of greatness.

[@conspicuouslyinconspicuous5638]

This was dispicable. We sent this man over to represent our country, which he does with honor. Then two committees strip him on an absurd technicality. Blatant racism. This man is an American hero. He should be honored. It's well overdue.

[@jlastre]

Every time I hear this story it makes me sick. I learned about it when I was in grammar school in like 6th grade. My grandma was also Native American from Mexico. I hope they successful in reinstating his medals.

[@bravewave2084]

Then, the PA town of his birth, named after him, changed the town's name. It has been changed back.

[@noledge18720]

Jim Thorpe wasn't born in PA. In fact the reason that town was named after him is a completely different case of injustice and racism. His wife secretly sold his body to a city for tourism.

[@elleryrajagopal1734]

Jim Thorpe is an inspiration. He deserves his medals and titles back, this is outrageous.

[@godfreydaniel6278]

That second voiceover make this video sound like it was meant for morons. "And then he crashed into the sun." 2nd voice - "And the sun is really hot - right?" Jim Thorpe's story is fully epic without it being dumbed down, thank you very much...

[@trevtkd]

I thought the exact same thing. “So, like, that sounds, like, a bad thing?” It was so cringe worthy to hear that second voiceover. Why even have it? Completely useless and moronic.

[@morganboutwell8231]

Can’t agree more

[@lugcastillo]

Where is the movie? Make a movie about this guy he is a true American HERO!

[@robertogonzales1956]

Jim Thorpe All American, made in the 50s, staring Burt Lancaster.

[@lilyflower5576]

Our Native men are THE BEST ❤️❤️❤️

[@michaeltudda2988]

Thorpe was the freaking man.

[@fvike]

Today his gold medals was reinstated as Sweden and Norways Olympic committees recognized Jim Thorpe as the winner of the 1912 pentathlon (Norway - silver Ferdinand Bie) and decathlon (Sweden - silver Hugo Wieslander).

[@lonelywanderer3558]

native Americans had the most healthiest and diverse diet in the entire world, at about 1400s

[@-Subtle-]

The original, one and only GOAT.

[@MegTelevised]

What happened to these people was an atrocity but we can start doing right by them each and every time

[@sabin97]

the real tragedy isnt that he was stripped of some medals or titles. the real tragedy is that as an american he wasnt even able to compete for his nation. he had to compete for usa.

[@Loveoldies50]

An amazing man! He deserves to have all his medals reinstated! He deserves to be honored! The way he was treated was shameful! Jim Thorpe, All American! Great movie about a great man. Another act of bigotry in America. We need to recognize the past and amend the errors of those times.

[@jenniferrussellstudio]

His medals should ABSOLUTELY be reinstated! It is a shame that they were taken away to begin with! When you have olympic swimmers who are caught smoking weed, which was illegal at the time, and his medals weren't taken away, there's some serious hypocrisy and prejudice going on.

[@robertkeesecker5693]

Today is the day! July 15, 2022 the reinstatement by the IOC of Jim Thorpe as the sole winner of the gold in the 1912 Olympics in the Decathlon and Pentathlon. Justice has always been slow, but 110 years? But justice it is today.

[@ninja1antelope]

Money sent to the birding school that stripped Thorpe of his heritage....

[@patrickc3419]

The greatest athlete our country has ever produced and one of the most fascinating people in history. Disgraceful that he was stripped of his medals and awards.

[@jamescarrington6504]

Also there is a town in Pennsylvania named after his name Jim Thorpe. I hope that the IOC will correct the record

[@funny3272]

Today the Olympic Committee reinstated Jim Thorpe. Thorpe is again the sole winner of the 1912 Olympics and medals returned.

[@shamelessantics3386]

Too bad the IOC don’t care

[@joannleichliter4308]

I have admired Jim Thorpe for much of my life (I will soon be 80), and I hope I live to see the IOC finally do the right thing.

[@HeWhoShams]

Give this man his medals back.

[@zarasamuels9377]

Wow had never heard of any of this, what an amazing athlete.

[@corectomundo2855]

First commissioner of the NFL, greatest athlete of his time.

[@lbednaz]

Skip the two guys banter please! Great story, never heard of it but would have been better just told straight out.

[@vstrom9586]

The King said he was the greatest athlete --

[@cynthiaanderson2160]

Put Mr . Jim Thorpe needs to go back in history books tell the truth about a native American Indian rest in peace eagle fly high.

[@Crusader-np2jo]

He was the greatest athlete of the 20th century, bar none!

[@jackoff1826]

Great to see one of the greatest athletes of all time was also an American Indian.

[@SandyRiverBlue]

The dude also played in the NFL for the Giants and the Cardinals.

[@saralkumarshrestha]

Thank you for making this

[@grege5074]

HAHAHA, change from inside the IOC? how much does that cost these days?

[@hjescalera8561]

8 Members of the IOC disliked this...

[@harbour9421]

Jim Thorpe was reinstated as the sole winner of 1912 Olympic decathlon and pentathlon by the IOC 15th July 2022. It should also be noted that Hugo Wieslander the silver medalist never accepted the gold medal awarded to him in the decathlon.

[@michaeladams5332]

Give his relatives his medals.

[@NTav540]

This makes me want to cry. So very wrong.

[@TheSafetySmith]

Do the right thing. This is something the entire world can get behind and do the right thing. IOC, R U listening?!

[@sahirygnobehi6448]

I remember reading about him.😊✌

[@jamiehardcastle4999]

28th July 2022 Jim thorpe gets Olympic win re-enstated 🏆 🙌

[@wirehyperspace]

some people cant win without cheating

[@AmirASD]

Now that just hits the nail on the head. Exactly what we are going through today.

[@Jordyb33123]

This needs a Hollywood film

[@lantrick]

1951 "Jim Thorpe - All-American"

[@JastwatchingYT]

I don't trust hollywood with this master piece.

[@lantrick]

@@JastwatchingYT google is your friend.

[@erikduvald6703]

The Olympic committee stripped him of his medals, for not being an amateur athlete. MARIKA KILIUS and HANS-JÜRGEN BÄUMLER lost their medals as late as 1964, for the very same reasons. (They had not even earned any money doing their sport, but signed a contract with Disney, to start working AFTER the games were over). You had to be 100% AMATEUR, to be allowed to compete in the Olympics at the time. Those rules were applied to everyone, and there was nothing odd about it. 🙂

[@moedark4390]

He's 1/2 native American. 1/4 Irish and a 1/4 French

[@DRACOFURY]

*I Just Signed The Petition* *✊🏿 Let's Go*

[@5pavitiyo]

As a native american i support the move. This is not difficult to do, unless people have double standards. Truth and honesty will always prevail.

[@mlynettepinky595]

Wrong what they did to him, bunch of haters, literally hating that a person of color, Native American was winning. His story needs to be told, I am going to sign the petition. I remember hearing about Jim Thorpe movie, they where supposed to do a movie about him and Jason Momosa was supposed to play him. I thought Jason was Hawaiian.

[@irobsyncratic]

They should make a Netflix series on him to hopefully reintroduce wider public interest in him!!!

[@torbenretboll2841]

Jim Thorpe was stripped of his medals in 1913. The decision of 1913 was reversed in 1982. Not in 1973 as you say. The reversal was only partial. He was listed as a co-champion. Not as a winner. In 2022, he was finally recognized as the sole champion. He was the winner of the pentathlon. he was the winner of the decathlon. This was more than 100 years after the event.

[@gaylonlavigne3007]

I think it was President Dwight Eisenhower & others, who encouraged the Olympic commitee to return the medals to the greatest athlete ever! Bigotry played a big part in this shameful injustice. I seriously doubt "anyone" will ever accomplish what this great man did!

[@kantbtamed1032]

I’m usually of the opinion that these sort of things are largely symbolic, but I actually think this might impart some healing and good faith.

[@travismcgreat3823]

Tall Paul's album about him is amazing.

[@CaliKiwi-]

I can’t believe it hasn’t already happened.... really??!

[@timcastle1844]

Injustice should never be allowed to be whitewashed, pun intended, under any circumstances. Jim Thorpe was/is one of the greatest Olympians of all time and it's now time all his feats were returned to their proper place.

[@russellzacharias3535]

@ 6:15, ...applying rules selectively...welcome to what the IOC has and continues to do the best.

[@misterman2830]

This is America.

[@ngonsor]

Ugh! This conversation style makes me feel like I am being talked to like a child.

[@vincentrobustelli9791]

Despite the fact that he didn’t get the medals he deserved while he was alive , notice how not one other name from the 1912 olympics was mentioned in this video. Jim Thorpe was cheated, and those people who cheated him went down in history for being cheaters and sore losers, or they didn’t go down in history at all. All the while Jim Thorpe’s mark in history is unquestionable now. And that matters.

[@Kjleed13]

Why the dislikes? Is it the font style?

[@AmericanMeiling]

Just like the first african american got his titles & place in history , this amazing man should get his place too!!! History is full of firsts , I am just sorry this is my first time hearing about him 💖 Amazing man who shows you can do amazing things with Nothing. That's why they took them from him , he embarrassed the men with too much 😋 history will see this man is not forgotten ...

[@doctorbigsmiles]

The faking of a casual conversation, is so disgusting. Ewwwww. Creepy af. Y'all practiced this....

[@WhatSoEverThingsAreLovely]

...yes but it gets the point across clearly & precisely!! I like it!!

[@sansajune8004]

Its not creepy at all. Cringe and entertaining, but not creepy.

[@JastwatchingYT]

Are you telling me this is not how you talk to somebody when having a historical, political, philosophical, scientific or ideological discussion?

[@rhondababiarz6678]

I agree...

[@W41K.3R]

Can't believe he invented casually calling ppl king

[@christophermartin141]

That is so messed up in so many ways

[@depthsothenso813]

Is there going to be a movie about him?

[@lantrick]

there was in 1951 . "Jim Thorpe- All American"

[@oldgoat1890]

This is a timely video. Look at the trash we have representing us at the Olympics now. Jim Thorpe was proud of this country.