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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.
By BBC World Service4.7
1818 ratings
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.

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