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Jim Thorpe: Native American legend

The incredible story of Jim Thorpe, native American athlete and star of the 1912 Olympics.

In 1912, the Native American athlete, Jim Thorpe, stunned the world by winning both the decathlon and pentathlon at the Stockholm Olympics.

Less than a year later, Thorpe was stripped of the medals in controversial circumstances.

After struggling to make a living as a Hollywood extra, he ended up dying in poverty in a trailer park.

Richard Fleming tells Jim Thorpe's incredible story, with contributions from his biographer, Kate Buford.

PHOTO: Jim Thorpe, the track athelete. Courtesy of Cumberland County Historical Society.

Available now

10 minutes

Last on

Sun 11 Sep 2011 04:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 10 Sep 2011 06:50GMT
  • Sat 10 Sep 2011 21:50GMT
  • Sun 11 Sep 2011 04:50GMT

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