Jim Thorpe one of the greatest athletes of all time was highlighted for the first edition of Native American Heritage Month.
And was also named Wa-Tho-Huk which translated means “Bright Path Lightning Makes As It Crosses The Sky.” Although he was often acknowledged for his father’s tribal background due to being an enrolled Sac and Fox Nation member, he was also Potawatomi on his mother’s side. Jim also is French and Irish.
Jim Thorpe dabbled in track at the boarding school in Kansas, but his athletic career didn’t take off until he returned to Carlisle three years later, in 1907.
How fast was Jim Thorpe?
Jim Thorpe was very fast and was known to have opened the event by splashing down the track in the 100-meter dash in 11.2 seconds—a time not equaled at the Olympics until 1948.
How far did Jim Thorpe jump?
Jim Thorpe could go far by jumping a long jump of 23 feet 6 inches and a high jump of 6 feet 5 inches. He could pole vault 11 feet; put the shot 47 feet 9 inches; throw the javelin 163 feet; and throw the discus 136 feet.
He entered the U.S. Olympic trials for both the pentathlon and the decathlon. He easily earned a place on the pentathlon team, winning three events.
The decathlon trial was subsequently canceled, and Thorpe was chosen to represent the U.S.. The pentathlon and decathlon teams included Avery Brundage, a future International Olympic Committee president.
Who called Jim Thorpe the greatest athlete?
Jim Thorpe was called the greatest athlete when King Gustav V of Sweden congratulated him, and said, “Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world.”
Thorpe reputedly replied, “Thanks, king.” He returned home a star. Thorpe’s name was so big, he received that most American honors which is a ticker-tape parade in New York City.
Source: nflfaqs.com
