Alain Mimoun

From WikiRun

Alain Mimoun O'Kacha (1921-) is a French marathon runner, who won the gold medal in the 1956 Summer Olympics.

Born in El Telagh, Algeria, Mimoun lost his prime years to World War II. After the war, he was several times French champion in the 5000 metres and 10000 metres. In both the 1948 and 1952, he lost to the Czech champion Emil Zátopek. Mimoun won silver medals in 10000 metres in 1948 and 1952 as well as another silver medal in 5000 metres in 1952. His second place finishes behind Zatopek gave him the nickname "Zatopek's Shadow." At the International Cross Country Championships, Mimoun won the 1949 (47:50), 1952 (48:19), 1954 (47:51), and 1956 (45:18); he finished second in 1950 (45:50) and 1958 (46:30).^[1]

Zátopek and Mimoun, while rivals, were great friends. They competed against each other for a final time at the 1956 Summer Olympics in the marathon. It was extremely hot in Melbourne on the day of the marathon. Zátopek, who had had a hernia operation 6 weeks before, suffered in the heat but Mimoun seemed to come to life as the temperatures reached 97 degrees (36 celsius). Mimoun went on the win the event. Additionally, Mimoun had become a father that morning. His daughter was named Olympia. At the finish line, he waited for his friend who came in sixth. Mimoun continued to compete after Melbourne. He was on the French team for the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. Mimoun won his final national championship in 1966, twenty years after his debut. He is a national hero in France with over thirty gymnasiums and the stadium in Bugeat named in his honor. External links olympic.org profile masterathletics.net profile sports-reference.com profile

References

1. ↑ http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/ixc.htm Retrieved 07-04-2009.