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Indian Athlete Jim Thorpe's Olympic medals...



Item # 717676

January 19, 1983

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Jan. 19, 1983

* Jim Thorpe posthumously reinstated 
* 1912 Stockholm Summer Olympics 
* Pentathlon & Decathlon gold medals 
* Carlisle, Pennsylvania Indian athlete


The top of page 22 has a two column heading: "Thorpe's Medals Finally Returned" (see images)
Complete with 44 pages, nice condition.

AI notes: Jim Thorpe was a Native American athlete who won gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. However, he was later disqualified because he had previously played semi-professional baseball, which violated the strict amateurism rules of the time. His medals were taken away, and his records erased.
For many years, there was a movement to restore Thorpe’s honors, recognizing the unfairness and the significance of his achievements. In 1983, the International Olympic Committee decided to reinstate his medals posthumously, awarding copies to his family. Although they didn’t officially name him the sole winner, the decision was an important symbolic victory and helped cement Thorpe’s place as one of the greatest athletes in history.
This restitution helped bring attention to Thorpe’s legacy and his impact on sports and Native American history.

Category: The 20th Century