Other names: THORPE, James Francis

Born: 28 May 1888

Deceased: 28 March 1953

Birthplace: Bellemont (United States)

Nationality: United States

Sport: Athletics

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Stockholm 1912

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Gold: 2

"The Greatest Athlete in the World"

Jim Thorpe, of Native American, French and Irish descent, is often considered the greatest all-round athlete in history. The accolade is well merited when judged by his superiority over his contemporaries.

At the 1912 Olympics, he won the pentathlon and decathlon by huge margins, setting world records in both events. At the awards ceremony, the King of Sweden told Thorpe, "Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world." But the following year Thorpe's name was struck from the roll of Olympic champions after it was revealed that he had earlier been paid for playing minor league baseball- At that time, the rule of amateurism prevailed.

The amount involved was miniscule ($15 [US] per week) but it was not until 1982 that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reversed its decision and after an interval of 70 years the medals were returned, posthumously, to the family of their rightful owner. Born with the Sac-and-Fox Indian name Wa-tho-huck, meaning "Bright Path", Thorpe attended Carlisle Indian School, where he established an awesome reputation as a football running back, being voted All-American in 1911 and 1912.

He later played professional football for the Canton Bulldogs and was actually the first President of the National Football League, although the title was largely ceremonial. Thorpe also played major league baseball for the New York Giants, Boston Braves and Cincinnati Reds.