Emil Zatopek is one of the greatest runners ever (I think Nurmi was better, but not by much), but Alain Mimoun is an inspiration for everyone who's run hard, but never quite made it to the line first, that there's always hope.
Aujourd'hui ,j'ai rencontré Alain , il trottinait pour effacer la douleur d'une contracture
Nous nous serrons la main, et je lui dis que je suis né en 1956, et ça fait 55 ans qu'il a été champion olympique à Melbourne . Depuis 1948, j'attendais ce moment me dit il .
Un bohneur commun de cette journée, nous nous sommes quittés en nous embrassant
One of the best stories ever! If you get the chance, check out Running With The Legends by Michael Sandrock. All kinds of other great running stories including a chapter on Emil.
This entier documentary is wonderful. it's called 100 years of olympic glory. It was directed by Bud Greenspan. I bought it!! Its available on amazon for like 10 bucks.
With all respect to Alain Mimoun's great performance in the 1956 Olympic marathon, Emil Zatopek came in to the race just weeks after a hernia surgery- this and the high heat, took its toll on the Czech runner.
Legend has it that Alain Mimoun did not drink water from an aid station AT ALL during this race. Amazing!
About the first remark. - It remains to be proven that Zatopek, had he not suffered that injury while preparing himself for this specific marathon, would win it. I don't believe he would: he finished 6th, a huge 4m 34s (!!!) behind Mimoun, and retired from competition shortly after these Olympic Games. The high heat didn't take its toll over the Scandinavian athletes: in the unofficial team standings, Finland was 1st (with Karvonen getting the bronze medal) and Sweden 2nd.
About the second remark. - He lost 9 lb (4 kg) (!!!) during the race: that seems to confirm the legend...
Mimoun beat silver medalist Franjo Mihalic, the great Croatian distance runner, by 1m 34s; and bronze medalist Veikko Karvonen, the 1951, 1954 and 1955 "Track & Field" magazine #1 marathon runner, by 2m 47s. "[H]is victory launched an excellent career at the marathon following his superb record at shorter-distance racing" (Martin David).
Thank you very much for posting this. The story of Alain Mimoun finishing as runner-up to Emil Zatopek in three Olympic finals and then triumphing at the 1956 marathon is a compelling one. His dedication and determination puts him among the greats of long distance running!
Emil Zatopek is one of the greatest runners ever (I think Nurmi was better, but not by much), but Alain Mimoun is an inspiration for everyone who's run hard, but never quite made it to the line first, that there's always hope.
stevetheowl12 2 months ago
Bonjour , merci pour la vidéo!
Aujourd'hui ,j'ai rencontré Alain , il trottinait pour effacer la douleur d'une contracture
Nous nous serrons la main, et je lui dis que je suis né en 1956, et ça fait 55 ans qu'il a été champion olympique à Melbourne . Depuis 1948, j'attendais ce moment me dit il .
Un bohneur commun de cette journée, nous nous sommes quittés en nous embrassant
Merci Mr. Mimoun, un moment inoubliable .
jeanphilippe0912 2 months ago
This's one of those stories that makes the marathon a legend! You can learn a lot from the interview of this old runner.Great story indeed.
RumbaDeBodas 1 year ago 2
bjr l'athlete alain mimoun son vrai nom mimouni okacha d'origine algerien ne a sidi chaib wilaya sidi bel abbes faite vous recherche sur lui
chaib13 1 year ago
grandios
222mozart 1 year ago
One of the best stories ever! If you get the chance, check out Running With The Legends by Michael Sandrock. All kinds of other great running stories including a chapter on Emil.
briangela24 1 year ago 2
@briangela24 It is a great book. I couldn't agree more!
stevetheowl12 2 months ago
france has stolen so many athletes from algeria and morocco!
Berialavrenti 1 year ago
@Berialavrenti France havent stolen anything. These guys came to France by themselves. That's all.
thedarkflowkiller 1 year ago
this is the absolute best!
briangela24 2 years ago
Fantastic !
So proud ... so brillant ... He is still crying many years after ... !
globreve 2 years ago 8
This entier documentary is wonderful. it's called 100 years of olympic glory. It was directed by Bud Greenspan. I bought it!! Its available on amazon for like 10 bucks.
tiredmeadow 2 years ago 2
make my love this sport even more thanks
leyva0333 3 years ago
The legend of Emil Zatopek...
benrhcpfan 3 years ago 2
With all respect to Alain Mimoun's great performance in the 1956 Olympic marathon, Emil Zatopek came in to the race just weeks after a hernia surgery- this and the high heat, took its toll on the Czech runner.
Legend has it that Alain Mimoun did not drink water from an aid station AT ALL during this race. Amazing!
hwyfan 2 years ago
About the first remark. - It remains to be proven that Zatopek, had he not suffered that injury while preparing himself for this specific marathon, would win it. I don't believe he would: he finished 6th, a huge 4m 34s (!!!) behind Mimoun, and retired from competition shortly after these Olympic Games. The high heat didn't take its toll over the Scandinavian athletes: in the unofficial team standings, Finland was 1st (with Karvonen getting the bronze medal) and Sweden 2nd.
mendoncacorreia 2 years ago
Comment removed
mendoncacorreia 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
About the second remark. - He lost 9 lb (4 kg) (!!!) during the race: that seems to confirm the legend...
Mimoun beat silver medalist Franjo Mihalic, the great Croatian distance runner, by 1m 34s; and bronze medalist Veikko Karvonen, the 1951, 1954 and 1955 "Track & Field" magazine #1 marathon runner, by 2m 47s. "[H]is victory launched an excellent career at the marathon following his superb record at shorter-distance racing" (Martin David).
mendoncacorreia 2 years ago
Thank you very much for posting this. The story of Alain Mimoun finishing as runner-up to Emil Zatopek in three Olympic finals and then triumphing at the 1956 marathon is a compelling one. His dedication and determination puts him among the greats of long distance running!
hwyfan 3 years ago 12