Original subtitles

For many months, seven words symbolized all the planning

that would lead to this hour, lead to this place.

The seven words.

The world is coming to Los Angeles.

And so this day many thought would never arrive, did in fact happen.

At 4.30 in the afternoon of July 28, 1984, the world came to Los Angeles.

For

the second time in the same century, Los Angeles

and its Coliseum play host to the Olympic Games.

Ladies and gentlemen, a salute to the nations of the 23rd Olympiad.

The flags of 140 nations formed a giant mosaic.

They came from countries whose history is centuries old.

And they came from newly formed nations,

which just two decades ago were not yet born.

18 invited countries did not send aid.

13 followed the lead of the Soviet Union, in boycotting the Games.

The entrance of the tall flags.

The tall flags serve as the protectors of the Antwerp flag.

The five ringed Olympic symbol presented to each Olympic

city since the games were held in Antwerp in 1920.

The five interlocking rings symbolized the joining

in brotherhood of all the nations of the world.

Each nation represented here today has at least

one color of the rings in its national flag.

Bradley

of Los Angeles receives the flag from the

president of the International Olympic Committee.

Juan Antonio Samaraj.

Now

the moment has arrived.

Out of sight of the 92,000 spectators, more than 7,000 young men and women.

The finest athletes to come forth from their native lands.

Presenting the athletes of the Games of the 23rd Olympiad.

Greece.

By tradition, Greece is the first nation.

Since was the host city when the modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896.

Greece is one of four nations which has competed in every Olympiad since 1896.

The others, Australia, Great Britain, Switzerland.

262 men and women from Australia.

During the parade of nations, there will be strange contrasts.

New countries like Bahrain, Djibouti, Gambia, and Qatar wear their native dress.

They rank equally with Brazil, Egypt, India, Portugal, and Sweden.

Countries whose history is centuries old.

The second largest delegation.

489 men and women from Canada.

It is Canada's strongest team in Summer Olympic history.

People's Republic of China.

The People's Republic of China.

231 men and women.

For China and historic moment.

52 years ago, in the same arena, they competed for the first time.

They sent a single athlete.

Now here in Los Angeles, they will serve notice that

they have emerged as an athletic power of the world.

Great Britain!

The team from Great Britain.

London hosted the fourth Olympiad in 1908 and the 14th in 1948.

Although these games are called the 23rd Olympiad of the

modern era, they will only be the 20th Olympi Games to be held.

Three Olympic Games were cancelled because of World Wars.

Korea.

The host nation for the 1988 Games in Seoul.

The 132 men and women of Romania.

The only country of the Soviet-aligned nations to accept an invitation to the Games.

You go sloppy.

You go sloppy.

The host nation of the 1984 Winter Olympics in Saraje.

The last country before the host nation.

The flag there, 44-year-old Ed Burke.

A hammer-thrower who competed in the 1964 and 1968 Games.

Now, 16 years later, he again makes the American Olympic team.

The United States did not compete in the 1980 Moscow Games.

But among their athletes are several gold medal

winners from the Montreal Olympics of 1976.

One of them, Edwin Moses, the winner of the 400-meter Hurrah's.

For some spectators, there is a remembrance of the past.

52 years ago, in this same arena, 337 American athletes marched into the

stadium as the host nation for the first Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Ladies and gentlemen, assembled before you are the finest athletes in the world.

The competitors in the Games of the 23rd Olympian.

President

of the Los Angeles Olympic organizing committee, Mr. Peter B.

Uberong.

For Peter Uberong, it is a day of special celebration.

It's been said, before you stand, the finest group of young men and women,

ever to assemble in the history of sport.

As he speaks, one reporter types the lead to his story.

It reads, The athletic competitions are still a day away.

But the first gold medal has already been won.

It goes to Peter Uberong.

Now Juan Antonio Samo Ranch, President of the International Olympic Committee.

The President of the United States of America.

President Ronald Reagan to proclaim the Games of the 23rd Olympian.

Los Angeles Open.

God bless America.

Celebrating the 23rd Olympian.

Of the modern era, I declare open the Olympic Games of Los Angeles.

Carried

into the stadium.

Born by 11 men and women representing America's Olympic heritage.

Bruce Jenner.

Wyoming Attias.

Harry O'Brien.

John Neighbor.

A combined total of 10 gold medals.

Bill Thorpe Jr. Billy Mills.

Mack Robinson.

Al Bauder.

Winner of four successive gold medals in the distance.

Winner of four diving gold medals.

Dr. Sammy Lee.

Two diving gold medals.

And Richard Sandoval.

A boxer unable to compete because of the 1980 boycott.

2,500 birds are released.

They symbolize the dubs of peace.

The Olympic torch that began its cross-country

journey 82 days earlier is carried into the stadium.

At the 1968 Games in Mexico City.

For the first time in history, the final torch barrel was a woman after.

Now, here in Los Angeles.

Gina Hemphill, who started the cross-country torch relay almost three months before.

Hands off to Rayford Johnson.

The winner of the 1960 Olympic Decathlon in Rome.

It's great to stop

Rayford Johnson.

Dave and Linda Morecroft live with their family

in Coventry, some 90 miles north of London.

Dave Morecroft was born here and today supervises

sports programs for the children of Coventry.

Dave Morecroft is esteemed in Great Britain.

He is admired for his devotion to children

and for one magnificent day in July of 1980.

All around 15 years and I've never seen more exciting

than ever since I've ever seen the business stadium.

On this day in Oslo, Morecroft wins the 5,000 meters in world record time.

Running the distance nearly six seconds faster than anyone has before.

28 years earlier, Roger Banister became the

first man to run the mile under four minutes.

Now Dave Morecroft has a chance to become the first man

in history to run the 5,000 meters under 13 minutes.

He misses by less than half a second, but incredibly

breaks the world record by more than five seconds.

Though the Los Angeles Games are two years away,

Dave Morecroft's performance is so impressive.

He immediately becomes one of the favorites to win the 5,000 meter Olympic gold medal.

It is Thursday, August 9, 1984, the Los Angeles Coliseum.

In the two years since his incredible world record run in

Oslo, Dave Morecroft has been beset with crippling injuries.

He has not fully recovered from a stress fracture

of the leg, a debilitating attack of hepatitis.

And a pelvic disorder that on certain days makes it impossible for him to run.

Morecroft has advanced to the semi-final after having a

comparatively easy race the day before in the qualifying round.

The runners must circle the 400 meter track 12 and a half times.

In his semi-final this day, Morecroft faces a difficult challenge.

John Walker of New Zealand, the 1976 Olympic 1500

meter champion, who has moved up to the 5,000 meters.

And 23-year-old Saeed Oeda of Morocco.

Oeda, number 622, wearing the green shirt and red shorts,

has run the second fastest 5,000 meters in history.

Only four seconds slower than Morecroft's world record time.

Oeda has a superb competitive record.

A few weeks before the games, he announced he would run the 1500 meters, an event in

which he has run the fastest time of the year.

Shortly before opening day, he withdrew from

the 1500, but remained in the 5,000 meter race.

With 200 meters left in his semi-final, Morecroft has survived the test.

He is running without pain.

The Moroccan, Oeda, leads Morecroft running

on the inside, and John Walker on the outside.

But this finish has little meaning.

The first six men in each semi-final qualify for the final.

I felt comfortable in the semi-final, but it is very difficult to tell exactly

how the others are feeling, because you're all trying to conserve energy,

if you like, trying to run as easily as you can, to qualify.

And I was aware that a waiter and Walker and others were running reasonably

quickly, but I was also aware that I felt comfortable at that pace.

It is two days later.

More than 90,000 spectators await the final of the 5,000 meters.

Two of the spectators are Linda and Paul Morecroft, Dave Morecroft's wife and son.

I had spoken to Dave in the morning of the race,

and I asked how he fells, and he said he felt fine.

And the injury was playing him up, but no more than usual.

It wasn't until I actually saw him warming up that I realised something was a miss.

He seemed to be dragging his leg a little.

It was very stiff, and it was obvious that his pelvis had tilted again.

At that point, I was particularly thinking, should I be running?

But I guess you're hoping for a miracle, and I was trying my best to forget the

fact that the warmup hadn't gone too well, and the fact that within a couple of laps

of the final, it might disappear, and I might be running reasonably freely.

The race begins.

There are 14 finalists.

Saeed Aweida of Morocco falls comfortably into third place to ensure a fast pace.

But for Dave Morecroft, there is anguish.

He is in intense pain.

Just a few seconds into the race.

Morecroft is third from last.

I was absolutely certain then that there was no way I could keep with the pace.

And there are a million different emotions.

There's an element of panic.

There's disappointment.

There's being scared that you won't finish.

Basically, all you're trying to do is put one

foot in front of another as quickly as you can do.

But you know that quickly is nowhere near as quickly as the guys in front.

After two laps, Dave Morecroft is in last place.

I still hoped he could get into the race.

I still hoped that perhaps he could salvage something.

But by the fourth lap, his injury was hurting

him so much that he couldn't salvage anything.

And I realised the pace was so fast that he just couldn't get into the race.

With seven laps to go and his chances of victory gone,

Dave Morecroft had thoughts about his wife Linda.

Watching from the stands.

It was a very difficult situation for her because she could do nothing about it.

I knew that she'd watched me do training sessions when things had gone badly.

You know, knew what I was going through.

I've never ever dropped out of a race yet.

Mainly because I think once you do, then

you've given yourself an option for the future.

But I must admit, I'd have been quite happy if somebody dragged me off the track.

Coming down the stretch with two laps to go, six men are still in contention.

Antonio Laitel of Portugal Leeds, followed by Syed Oeda of Morocco.

Marcus Riffle of Switzerland, third.

Tim Hutchings, Great Britain, fourth.

Followed by the two Kenyans, Paul Kipkoyech, and Charles Cherriote.

The fast pace has forced John Walker of New Zealand to break off the challenge.

All eyes are on the leaders.

But for Dave and Linda Morecroft, there is another race.

A personal one.

Pride.

Pride, known only to them.

More than 350 metres behind the leaders.

Morecroft is in danger of being lapped.

I felt like bursting into tears.

In fact, I was sort of secretly hoping that he would pull out.

Because I just didn't want to sit and have to watch him go further and further back.

And I was praying that he wouldn't be lapped.

I thought, please, please don't let him be lapped.

Up front, there is one lap to go.

Laitau of Portugal leads with Saeeda Wido Morocco at his shoulder second.

Marcus Riffle of Switzerland, in the all-red uniform, is third.

With 250 metres left, Saeeda Wido makes his move.

He passes Laitau of Portugal.

On the outside, Marcus Riffle of Switzerland also passes Laitau.

Into the final turn, Ouita leads.

30 metres in front.

Dave Morecroft fears he will be lapped.

An element of panic sets him because they didn't want to look behind.

I could frighten Riffle.

Even to the point that coming down the finishing

state, I still got a lap and a bit to go.

I pulled out to the second lane because I thought, if they're

going to go past me, I don't know what he's getting their way.

Dave Morecroft gains his personal triumph.

Saeeda Wido Morocco wins the Olympic gold medal.

Now that it is over, there is the recognition of what has been done.

Saeeda Wido becomes the first man to win a gold medal for Morocco.

And Dave Morecroft has completed his long, painful journey with honour.

On official time, it gives you a record for Saeeda Wido.

Saeeda Wido stands on the highest step of the victory platform.

Beside him, Marcus Riffle Switzerland, silver medal, Antonio Laitau, bronze.

The victory scoreboard records the first eight finishes.

In the upper right-hand corner, the world record time of Dave Morecroft.

A final honour and tribute to the magnificent day two years earlier,

when he ran the fastest 5,000 meters ever.

This is the gymnasium at Cal State University

Los Angeles, the scene of the judo competition.

On this day, a dramatic story is coming to its conclusion.

A story which had its beginning seven years earlier and 6,000 miles away.

This is a dojo in Hiratsuka, Japan.

Here students practice the art of judo, a sport that was

introduced to the Olympics at the Tokyo Games of 1964.

The sport began a little over a century ago in Japan

as a non-violent means of recreation and self-defence.

Translated judo means the gentle way.

Pupils are taught a philosophy that emphasizes strength,

technique and concentration, as opposed to violence.

Judo players are told that yielding is strength.

Gentle turns away sturdy.

Bend like a bamboo.

Then strike back.

This is Yasuhiro Yamashita, perhaps the greatest

judo player in the history of the sport.

Yamashita is a national hero in Japan.

As the Los Angeles Games approach, Yamashita

has a winning streak of 194 straight victories.

Undefeated over the last seven years.

During this period, he has won the all-Japan judo championships eight times

and the world championships three successive times.

His opponents consider him unbeatable.

Judo experts consider him invincible.

Standing five feet 11 inches and weighing 280 pounds, Yamashita has one more goal.

I have wanted to win an Olympic gold medal ever since I was a child.

I was very disappointed in 1980 when the boycott

prevented me from competing in the Moscow Olympics.

I am also very sad because there are many great champions

who will not compete in Los Angeles for the same reason.

It is August 11th, 5 p.m.

More than 4,000 spectators fill the arena for the Open Division Judo Championship.

Three Japanese have already won gold medals in lower weight classes.

Changes in Olympic rules have prevented

Yasuhiro Yamashita from winning two gold medals.

In the past, it was possible for a judo player to compete in his weight division.

And then attempt to win the Open Division, regardless of his weight.

Throughout his career, Yamashita has been

besieged with offers to become a sumo wrestler.

And by Japanese promoters to enter professional wrestling.

Offers that would have made him a wealthy man.

His reply, it is my lifetime desire to become Olympic champion.

Yamashita's first opponent, Lance Nokoli of Senegal.

During Yamashita's string of 194 successive victories, he has scored 189 Ipons.

The equivalent in judo to a knockout in boxing or a pin in wrestling.

So dominant is Yamashita in his sport.

The question is, how long will an opponent

last, rather than whether the opponent will win?

Most of Yamashita's bouts are over in 30 seconds.

Lance Nokoli of Senegal is defeated in 27 seconds.

One hour later, Yamashita faces author Schnabel of West Germany.

Victory in judo can be scored in several ways.

The most spectacular, throwing an opponent onto his back with great force and impetus.

If the referee decides that a throw is not of

the highest quality, the match will continue.

Victory can also be scored by pinning an opponent for 30 seconds.

Or if an opponent surrenders voluntarily.

Finally, the inevitable.

Schnabel signals his surrender.

As Yamashita leaves the mat, he is limping and in pain.

During my match with Schnabel, I injured my right leg.

It did not appear serious at the time.

Nevertheless, I had to focus all my concentration

on my opponent and the task at hand.

As I left the arena, I knew my injury was more serious than I had originally thought.

At 6.45 in the evening, Yasuhiro Yamashita steps onto the mat for the semi-final bout.

His limp is more pronounced, and there is concern in the Japanese camp.

The injury to Yamashita's right leg is certain to affect his speed and mobility.

Yamashita's opponent, Laura Del Colombo of France.

Del Colombo attacks Yamashita's injured leg.

He throws Yamashita, but the referee rules the mat should continue.

Nevertheless, it is a rare moment in judo.

Yamashita is in danger of losing.

Yamashita throws Del Colombo.

Again, the referee signals the bout to continue

because the throw was not a behind as quantity.

Yamashita has now taken control.

He holds Del Colombo to the mat.

Yamashita wins.

Now the most important match of his career.

The one for the Olympic gold medal.

He will meet Mohammed Rashwan of Egypt.

Rashwan has won all three of his preliminary bouts decisively.

All three have ended in victory by an Epon.

In my semi-final, it was the first time I ever thought I might lose.

My opponent knew of my injury, but in judo

attacking an injury is considered part of the sport.

If my opponent was injured, I would not change my strategy.

Therefore, I prepared for a similar attack in the final.

Rashwan attacks the injured leg.

So Yasuhiro Yamashita leaves the arena as he had entered.

An unblemished record extending over seven years.

198 successive victories.

And so the long journey of Yasuhiro Yamashita is over.

And with it, the fulfillment of the philosophy of judo.

Yielding his strength.

Gentle turns away sturdy.

This is the Olympic Village on the campus of the University of Southern California.

Two of the most celebrated people in the Olympic

Village are Edwin Moses and his wife Morella.

Edwin Moses won the 400 meter hurdle gold medal at the 1976

Montreal Olympics and has not been beaten in seven years.

102 successive victories, including heats and finals.

Morella Moses will be in the stands during his three days of competition as she has

been for every race since their marriage two years ago.

Just before noon on Friday, August 3, 28 year old Edwin

Moses running easily leads in his qualifying heat.

For Edwin Moses, the two years leading to the Olympic Games have been emotional ones.

He could not compete in 1982 because of a series of injuries.

When he returned, each race had additional significance.

Each victory meant the continuation of one of the

longest winning streets in track and field history.

But now here in Los Angeles, there is even greater inspiration for Edwin Moses.

Several months before the Games, his beloved father, who saw him win the

gold medal in Montreal, died after a short illness.

Before he stepped onto the track this day, Edwin Moses met with his wife and mother.

He told them the next three races would be dedicated to dad.

The following day is the semi-final.

Since the first four finishers of each semi-final move

to the final, qualifying should be a mere formality.

But Edwin Moses must win again to extend his

winning streak to 104 straight victories.

In lane seven, second from the left, his Trinnell Hawkins, Moses' teammate,

who finished third in the Olympic trials.

My semi-final was the toughest of the two semi-finals.

Two now Hawkins was second place behind me and he ran a good time as well.

After the semi-final was over, then most of the

work was done and it just came down to one big day.

Sunday, August 5th, 6.30 p.m.

Two finals are scheduled within a half hour.

The first, the women's 100 meters.

A half hour later, Edwin Moses will step onto

the track for the 400 meter hurdles final.

Some kind of paint I'd never felt before.

I was totally numb.

My whole body was going numb from the inside out and it's like somebody's

putting this big stick through me and I can hardly move.

Actually, it started when the girls were running the 100 meters and it was like,

oh my god, a few more minutes is coming out.

I was just trying to, I think, just trying to breathe.

I was thinking about how people have babies and what they do.

They just started taking deep breaths and stuff.

So I was trying to relax myself by taking a deep breath.

And then you can see these little trucks with the hurdles

on the, stacked on top of them, you know, come out.

And all these little guys with the yellow jackets

are walking around and it's such an eerie sight.

And you know, there's no escape.

You can't go anywhere.

You know, you're sitting right there in the

middle of it and you have to witness everything.

It was the longest time.

God, I don't know how long it was, but it was too long.

I had this big towel with me that I took from

the hotel and I was just holding on to it.

And when I saw everyone, I just, I think I just started crying and holding

on to this towel, it seemed like this was the

only thing that could save me or help me at all.

And I was so helpless because I couldn't do anything for the poor guy.

You know, there he was led to his execution.

And I was sitting there so helpless and I had to witness the whole thing.

I felt like in one of these old movies where they go hang

a guy and the girls in the back crying and everything.

I'm in a very tranquil state and for me being out on the

track with the hurdles there, I was completely warmed up.

After I ran a few hurdles and decided that I was ready, there was really not too much

else to do, but try to relax and that's why I lay down on the track.

It worked to my advantage.

I'd like to get out there and relax versus just

go out on the track, set your blocks and go.

Edwin Moses' main opposition in the race is expected to come from his teammate

Danny Harris in lane four and Harold Schmidt of West Germany in lane five.

Schmidt was the last man to defeat Moses seven years ago.

Since the lanes are staggered, both Harris and Schmidt

will be able to observe Moses throughout most of the race.

But Moses will not be able to see that.

I found out what lane assignment I was going to have as I came out to the track

to warm up because I don't like to agonize over it the

night before what lane I'm in versus the other guys.

When I saw that I had lane six, it put me at a little bit of disadvantage

because I could see no one who was going to be

a factor in the race and they could all see me.

Hundreds of photographers are masked at the start.

The clicking of their cameras makes it difficult

for the runners to hear the command of the starter.

I heard the cameras, they were closest to me on the outside than anyone else,

so my concentration was not there after hearing those cameras.

None of the eight runners is charged with a false start.

The people around me, they were really nervous after that.

They said, oh my god, what's going to happen?

And I said, hey, no big deal.

I know that he does this all the time and it's no problem.

It just gives him an extra few minutes to relax and I know in lane six he was real

close to the cameras and I know that that's what set him off.

Because of this outside lane, Moses wants to take the lead early.

After 50 meters, he is already in the lead.

The hurdles are approaching every three and a half to four seconds during the race

and I really don't have a long time to think about it.

And once we got into the turn, I felt that I was going out away from the guys.

I didn't think that anyone would take a chance on being with me at that point.

Edwin Moses leads, followed by Harold Schmidt of

West Germany and Danny Harris of the United States.

Edwin Moses first.

Danny Harris, United States second.

Harold Schmidt, West Germany third.

This is how Morella Moses witnessed it.

My hands are doing well.

My hands are doing well.

Sitting beside Morella Moses in the red jacket, Dr. Primo Nebiolo, the president

of the International Amateur Athletic Federation.

On the left, John Holt, General Secretary.

I was like, what am I going to do?

I know I wasn't allowed on the try.

But then that there was this guard right there

who was watching this little piece of gate.

I knew that he knew that I was going to jump all of that thing any minute.

Oh, God, I'm glad he's out.

Oh, yeah, Dad.

This is

the story of two American swimmers who competed at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

One is 25-year-old Rowdy Gaines, world record holder in the 100-meter freestyle.

Gaines is considered by most too old and past his prime.

The other is 20-year-old John Moffatt, world record holder in the 100-meter

breaststroke, who has an opportunity to win three gold medals.

Since childhood, both Gaines and Moffatt had dreams of hearing the star-spangled

banner played in their honor at the Olympics.

Within 48 hours, both of them would have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams.

At 10 o'clock on the morning of July 29, 1984, John Moffatt

prepared for the 7th heat of the 100-meter breaststroke.

One month earlier, he set the world record in this event at the Olympic Trials,

defeating his longtime rival, Steve Lundquist.

John Moffatt became the favorite to win the gold medal.

Moffatt swam a magnificent qualifying heat, breaking

the Olympic record to become the fastest qualifier.

But during the race, he severely tore a leg muscle.

It's just totally indescribable.

I can still bring back the feeling of what had... it's just complete panic.

I just remember walking away from the pool and the crowd cheering, and they just said

I broke the Olympic record, and it just really

wasn't the same because I just felt like that was it.

Six hours later, John Moffatt was in the

competitor's tent, awaiting the call for the final.

The preceding hours were the most tragic of his life.

I couldn't kick breaststroke at all, and I told the coaches I wasn't going to swim.

They said, well, we can go to the last resort,

Nagas, to put some local anesthetic into the muscle.

So I got the injection, I got my leg wrapped with adhesive

tape, just as tightly as possible, and tried to warm up.

Steve Lundquist, former world record holder, and the man John Moffatt defeated

in the trials, now becomes the United States main home.

Steve and I were roommates, and the only thing that I ever said to Steve was,

my hopes were really dwindling, and I just told him to win it for the U.S.

because I really didn't think that I could do it,

because it just was too sore I could barely walk.

The eight finalists line up.

The pool is 50 meters long.

They will swim up and back once.

Take your heart.

All eight men hit the water simultaneously.

After a few strokes, Steve Lundquist inches ahead.

Lundquist, second from the top, is the clear leader at 25 meters.

Moffatt, in lane four, is having trouble with his kick.

Lundquist is swimming at a world record pace.

Until Moffatt took the record away from him in the Olympic trials.

Lundquist had broken the mark four times in two years.

Lundquist makes the turn first, followed by Victor Davis of Canada in lane seven.

It is now a two-man race.

Lundquist, second from the top.

Davis, second from the bottom.

Moffatt, in lane four, in the middle, knows it is all over.

I couldn't kick at all, it was really tough.

I wanted to at least somehow get a medal.

I saw Steve and I knew that there was really no

chance to catch him because he was so far ahead.

With 20 meters left Lundquist, second from the top leads.

Victor Davis of Canada, second from the bottom, trails by three feet.

Incredibly, John Moffatt has moved into fifth place.

Steve Lundquist wins and sets a world record.

Victor Davis, Canada second.

Peter Evans, Australia third.

Adrian Moore, house, Great Britain fourth.

John Moffatt, United States fifth.

You know, I turned around hoping to at least a medal because I didn't know.

And then saw I got fifth.

I just remember Steve coming up and I don't

remember anything he said, but it was comforting.

And I was glad that he wasn't for the United States at least.

Lundquist's victory earns him an opportunity for a second gold medal.

He will swim the breaststroke on the four by one hundred medley relay team.

Moffatt's injury is so severe, he must withdraw

from the two hundred meter breaststroke.

Though John Moffatt is unable to swim, his story

here at the Los Angeles Olympic pool is not yet over.

This is Little Gasparilla Island off the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Few people live here.

One who finds tranquility in this place, his Ambrose gains the fourth, rowdy gains.

Though he travels the world, rowdy gains always comes home.

Home to Little Gasparilla.

I like to come here and be by myself.

I like to be alone.

When I come to this place, it's like a battery charge.

And I'm like a battery.

I've got to come back here to get it charged up again.

In 1980, rowdy gains was expected to win four gold medals at the Moscow Games.

But the boy caught prevented him from competing.

As the Los Angeles Olympics approached, gains was 25, old for a swimmer.

He qualified for the 100 meters, but failed dismally in the 200 meters.

Depressed about losing his speed, rowdy gains had

thoughts about giving up his place on the team.

I went through such a period of mental depression because of my swimming.

It was the first time in like six years I hadn't improved on my times.

A month before the Olympic Games, still depressed, rowdy gains returned to

Little Gasparilla, not knowing whether he would swim.

I was starting to believe that I was washed up because of how old I was.

Even after I made the team, it was almost worse as I realized

I was going to be the oldest person on the swimming team.

I started reading stories about how old and washed up I was and everything.

I almost tended to believe that myself.

It is 4 10 p.m.

Tuesday, July 31st.

At the Olympic swimming pool, Tiffany Cohn of the United States

is receiving her gold medal for winning the 400-meter freestyle.

50 yards away in the competitor's tent, rowdy gains is one of the eight finalists

awaiting the call to the pool deck for the 100-meter freestyle final.

He qualified in the third fastest time.

Alongside him, his teammate Mike Heath with the second fastest qualifying time.

Heath defeated gains in the Olympic trials.

The fastest qualifier, Mark Stockwell, the Australian National Champion.

I got beat at the Olympic trials and it was the first time

in what five years that nobody thought I was going to win.

People say I choke.

I was reading it so much and I was hearing it so much that I started believing.

Right before I swam, I think I was just going

through my whole career over and over my mind.

And I was just sitting there singing the old Phil Collins song, I don't care anymore.

I was, I was singing that song just to try to make me relax

a little bit and try to take a little pressure off me.

Ladies and gentlemen, now coming onto the deck from the

competitors and friends are the eight finalists in the men.

100 meter freestyle.

I remember walking out and the whole time I'm thinking, can't wait.

This is over with.

I can't wait until this is over with.

At the same time I had a feeling of excitement because

I've never ever swam before a crowd like that before.

They were all for us.

It's a feeling that it's so hard to describe because it made me feel so warm.

It made me feel so proud to be an American.

Of Switzerland.

In lane number three, the world record holder,

roundy gains of the United States of America.

In lane four, the leading qualifier, his country's national record holder,

Martin Stockwell of Australia.

In lane five, Mike P of the United States.

The lanes are determined by the finishing time in the heat.

The middle lanes are considered the best.

Rowdy gains is in lane three.

Mark Stockwell of Australia wearing the yellow cap, swims the choice lane,

lane four.

Rowdy gains hits the water first.

His start is quickest of all the swimmers.

A low trajectory straight into the water.

However, to some, it appears he beat the gun.

Rowdy gains third from the top leads.

Stockwell in lane four trades.

In lane six, Swedish champion Parry Johansson stays with the leaders.

As they approach the halfway pointed 50 meters, Rowdy gains is in the lead.

I remember flipping at the wall.

If it's field, I was in the lead.

But in 100 free, you can't look, you look, you get beat.

So I wasn't looking, but I could feel the presence of the

rest of the swimmers and I could feel like I was in the lead.

Gaines third from the top still leads.

Stockwell alongside him in lane four, trails by two feet.

With 10 meters to go, Rowdy gains closest to the camera still leads.

Rowdy gains does not know he has won.

I was thinking to myself, I don't want to turn around.

I don't want to turn around.

I was slowly turning around and when I looked at

the clock, I still didn't want to look at my name.

Rowdy gains the United States first.

Mark Stockwell of Australia wearing the yellow cap second.

Perry Johansson, Sweden, third.

Mark Stockwell of Australia is furious.

He believes he is the victim of a quick start.

Nevertheless, he congratulates the win.

Two facts emerge when the controversial start is replayed.

Mark Stockwell of Australia wearing the yellow cap.

Was not fully in the set position when the gun sounded.

Equally important, Rowdy gains did not beat the gun.

He

gains moves to the victory platform followed by Mark Stockwell and Perry Johansson.

At the competitor's tent, 50 meters away, John Moffatt arrives.

It is two days after his injury.

Ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for the playing

of the National Anthem of the United States of America.

Rowdy gains stands to attention as the National Anthem is played in his honor.

John Moffatt slowly moves to the pool deck to pay tribute to his friend Rowdy gains.

Or Rowdy gains, it is a dream that has taken eight years to be fulfilled.

Or John Moffatt, an unfinished dream.

The dream that one day the National Anthem will be played for him.

They walked into the arena like the gladiators of old.

26 men, strong, agile, fast.

Throughout the next two days, they would compete in ten events.

The Decathlon, a grueling test of strength, speed and

stamina that would earn one of them a coveted title.

The finest, all-around athlete in the world.

Though many would make the attempt, there were in reality but two.

Daily Thompson of Great Britain, who won the

Olympic gold medal in Moscow four years earlier.

And Jurgen Hinksen of West Germany, the world record holder

who did not compete in Moscow because of the boycott.

Four months before the games they trained, trained to

gain the extra strength and speed that could mean victory.

The extra inches of distance in throwing and height in jumping.

The infinitesimal fraction of a second in a running event that would earn more points.

For the Decathlon is a unique competition in the Olympic program.

The winner is decided by the cumulative total

of points earned in each of the ten events.

Winning an event is not as important as improving your own best previous performance.

In effect, the decathlete is competing against

himself rather than the other men in the competition.

Thompson and Hinksen are a study in contrast.

Daily Thompson, six feet, one inch tall, 190 pounds, age 26, outgoing, dedicated.

His ultimate experience, the joy of the competition.

There's nothing that I enjoy more in my life.

I don't mean I don't enjoy all the kind of the razz, metas and all that kind of stuff.

I'm happiest when I'm with a couple of my friends and at the track.

That's where I feel most at home.

And so obviously to change that situation, if I don't

need to, I'm going to work and all that kind of stuff.

I don't think I'll try and put that one off as long as I can.

Jürgen Hinksen, he is called the German Hercules.

Six feet, seven inches tall, 215 pounds.

The world record holder with a mark that is

55 points better than Daily Thompson's best.

For Jürgen Hinksen, however, there is one important statistic.

He has never defeated Daily Thompson in five head to head confrontations.

He's a great athlete and of course it's very hard to be always second against him.

But it keeps me going.

I know that he's very strong and I know that he's also very friendly and always

tries a little bit funny and buddy-buddy was everybody.

And it doesn't bother me.

I mean, I have my way and he has his way.

And we both want the same thing.

It is Wednesday morning, August 8th, the Los Angeles Coliseum.

The top athletes have been grouped together in one section.

Throughout the two days, Daily Thompson will be competing against three West Germans.

His main adversary, Jürgen Hinksen.

The Siegfried Vents ranked third in the competition.

And former world record holder, Gito Kratchmer.

The first event, the 100 meters.

Jürgen Hinksen is in lane two.

Daily Thompson on the far outside in lane eight.

Daily Thompson first, Gito Kratchmer second, Jürgen Hinksen third.

Thompson's time is superb, equally in the fastest he's ever run.

Hinksen is well below the time he set during his world record.

At the end of the first event, Thompson leads Hinksen by 122 points.

The second event, the long jump.

Hinksen leaps 25 feet, seven and one quarter inches.

A superb effort.

Thompson responds with the longest jump in Olympic Decathlon history.

26 feet, three and a half inches.

He earns 1,022 points.

He gains another 42 points.

And after two events, leads Hinksen by 164.

At one best in the long jump, eight meters after two events.

The third event, the shot put.

Each man has three throws.

Both Thompson and Hinksen turn in their best efforts on their first attempt.

Thompson, 51 feet, seven inches.

Only six inches less than Hinksen's throw.

He still leads by 155 points.

Now the high jump.

A critical event for Hinksen if he is to stay in contention for the gold medal.

In the past, Hinksen has cleared seven feet.

Thompson has rarely reached that height.

As the early heights are cleared by both men, Hinksen

appears to be having trouble with his right knee.

Even in the warm-up already, I had a problem with my knee with my right knee,

my jump and foot.

And then in the first height, I came too close to

the bar, and that even caused a much worse injury.

I had to call a doctor, my own doctor from my team.

And he gave me two shots in the knee, and it was a little bit better,

it was a painkiller.

And then I jumped two times more, and the same problem started again.

I called again the doctor, and he gave me another two shots.

He said it's the last shot that I can give you, otherwise

you're out of the competition, you can't do it anymore.

Hinksen's injury is diagnosed as a sprained tendon in his right knee.

He continues in the competition.

Meanwhile, Thompson is having his own problems.

With the bar at six feet eight, Thompson has missed his first two attempts.

He has one more chance at clearing the bar.

This is Thompson's last successful leap in the high jump.

The injured Hinksen continues on.

The bar moves to six feet eleven and a half inches.

Hinksen is the only man to clear this height.

But he can go no further.

He gains back another 77 points, and now trails Thompson by 78.

Now the fifth and final event of the day.

The 400 meters.

Thompson is in lane six.

Hinksen on the far outside in lane eight.

Though Hinksen defeated Thompson the last time they met head to head.

At his best, Thompson is considered to be almost

a second faster than the world record holder.

Coming off the final turn, Thompson leads by five meters.

Daily Thompson first, Jim Whiting, United States

second, Jürgen Hinksen, West Germany third.

Thompson gains 36 points, and now leads Hinksen by 114 points.

Daily Thompson has had the greatest first day in the history of the decathlon.

But Hinksen has not quit.

In any other competition but this one, his

performance would be considered outstanding.

At the end of five events, his score is only

17 points less than his world record pace.

Yet he trails Thompson by 114 points.

It is morning, Thursday, August 9th.

The final five events of the decathlon.

Daily Thompson of Great Britain leads West German

world record holder Jürgen Hinksen by 114 points.

The first two events are strong ones for Jürgen Hinksen.

If he reaches his fullest capability in these two events,

Thompson's lead of 114 points will be stripped away.

Thompson is in lane four in the middle.

Hinksen in lane seven on the outside.

Hinksen first, Thompson second.

He seek free events, West Germany third.

Hinksen wins, but his time is far below the performance he

turned in two months earlier when he set the world record.

Though Thompson lost the race, his effort was very close to his personal best.

Hinksen gains back six points.

He still trails by 108 points.

The seventh event, the discus, the most critical event of the competition.

Each man has three throws.

In head-to-head competition, Thompson has out thrown Hinksen.

But a superior effort by Hinksen and a subpar performance

by Thompson could reverse all that has taken place before.

And this evening's last event, the 1,500 meter run.

Hinksen's first attempt.

163 feet, five inches.

The father's he's ever thrown.

Thompson, 124 feet, four inches.

Thompson's first throw is almost 40 feet less than Hinksen's.

Now Hinksen's second attempt.

It is better than his first throw, 166 feet, nine

inches, just short of the Olympic decathlon record.

Now Thompson's second attempt.

Another bad throw.

135 feet, four inches.

With each man having one throw left in the discus,

an incredible reversal appears to be taking place.

If neither athlete improves on their final throws,

Hinksen will lead in the overall competition by 68 points.

Now Hinksen's final throw.

And the Olympic record after six events.

It is not as good as his previous effort.

This fact has little meaning.

It is Thompson who will control his own destiny.

If he does not improve on his final attempt,

his chances for victory will be in jeopardy.

This is the nature of the decathlon.

Victory is gained by consistency in all 10 events.

In his first six events, Thompson has been superb on his way to easily defeating

Jürgen Hinksen and taking away his world record.

But here in the discus, he has faltered and now has

one attempt left to get back in the competition.

It was kind of like the moment I've always been looking for.

Everything at the end of the day has got to be a test.

And this moment was like my test.

This was like everything had ever gone on before and didn't mean anything.

And this was the moment to go and look over the

goddamn cliff and face what was ever down there.

That was the biggest moment for me ever.

That was everything wrapped up into one.

That particular moment with however many people watching

on Telly and all that kind of stuff and everybody there.

That was my moment.

The

best throw the daily Thompson has ever made in the decathlon.

With this one throw, he has again turned the competition around.

Before their final attempts, Hinksen led by 68 points overall.

But Thompson's magnificent effort keeps him in first place by 32 points.

A swing of 100 points.

The eighth event, the pole vault.

Hinksen still has a chance at winning the gold medal.

They both choose 14 feet, 9 inches as their opening height.

Based on past performances, the height is a mere formality

for both are capable of vaulting at least one foot higher.

Thompson clears easily.

You know, the stadium was very hard.

I was sitting underneath the sun umbrella and I got

really dizzy and drowsy or I don't know how you call it.

And then when I called my name for the first

attempt, I mean it was totally strange for me.

And there could have been 10 coaches or 10 people that told me how to jump.

I couldn't have done it at that time because I was totally out of control.

Hinksen has missed twice.

If he fails on his third attempt, he will receive no

score and his chances for a medal will then be over.

Hinksen clears on his last attempt, but he can go no further.

Thompson continues on.

With each successful height, he increases his lead.

Finally, the bar is at 16 feet, four and three-quarter inches.

More than a foot and a half higher than Hinksen's best effort this day.

Thompson gains an additional 120 points.

He now leads Hinksen by 152.

It is at this point that both Thompson and Hinksen know it is all over.

I couldn't reach him anymore.

That was clear.

I just had to finish as a real athlete finish.

So I still tried to do my best in John.

Now all that is left for Thompson is the 1500 meters.

He leads Hinksen by more than 200 points.

In less than five minutes, the gold medal will be his.

For daily Thompson, it is the fulfillment of the Olympic philosophy.

To enter the arena, make the attempt and do your best.

It's one of those utopian ideals which I don't believe should be lost on the world.

It may not be possible for them to actually occur.

There's nothing wrong with trying to strive for what they say out for.

And that is the youth of the world should get together and have a good time.

And maybe when they're older and they're in charge of other

things and countries and companies and that kind of stuff.

I'll go off and we can all be nicer to each other.

I don't believe that that ideal is out of place.

I always try and strive for the best for myself.

And so I'm probably in this aspect at least I'm probably very much out of date.

I just need a few more like me.

On one hand, it's very sad for me on the other hand.

It keeps me going.

Now because I'll still hope and I think that I can beat him at least one time.

This is an albatross.

A bird that flies with effortless grace.

The albatross, whose wingspan generates speed

and power far beyond that of other birds.

This is 20 year old swimmer Michael Gross of West Germany.

Whose arms extend in a span of more than seven feet, propelling him through the

water faster than any swimmer in the world.

Michael Gross is called the albatross.

At the Los Angeles Olympic Games, Michael Gross will swim in six events,

three of them in less than 26 hours.

When these events are over, Michael Gross will leave the swimming pool with honor.

And those who face him will share the glory.

The better for their meeting with the albatross.

July 29th, 4.15 p.f., the final of the 200 meter freestyle.

Michael Gross is one of eight finalists.

Earlier this day, he created an Olympic record

qualifying for the final in the fastest time.

A little less than half a second off, his own world record.

Michael Gross immediately goes into the lead.

The swimmers will go up and back twice.

He makes the turn first at 50 meters.

As the race progresses, Gross goes father and

father ahead, swimming at a world record pace.

With less than 50 meters to go, Gross leads followed by

Mike Heath of the United States below him in lane five.

And his West German teammate Tomas Foner third from the top.

Michael Gross, West Germany first.

Mike Heath, United States second.

Tomas Foner, West Germany third.

Michael Gross breaks his own world record by eleven hundredths of a second.

Twenty-four hours later, the final of the 100 meter butterfly.

The slight favored in the race, Pablo Morales of the United States.

Morales set the world record in the Olympic trials and in qualifying for the final.

Created an Olympic record less than half a second slower than his own world record.

The second fastest qualifier, Michael Gross of West German.

Pablo Morales is the only man in the race

who has swum the distance under 54 seconds.

Morales makes the turn first.

Gross below him, trails by a few inches.

Now the battle for the gold net.

World record holder Pablo Morales on top.

Michael Gross alongside him.

I touched the wall and looked on the scoreboard and see 53, 0-8, 53,

23.

And I don't see that I finished first, you know.

First I was happy about the time.

And I saw I finished first with a new record.

And of course it was more surprising for me.

And I think for the crowd too.

Because Pablo was the guy who was world record holder before.

And of course he was really upset and was crying.

And I understand what happened and I told him

in his situation I will be satisfied, you know.

Because he has really done his best.

He has better his own world record and I was faster, but no reason to cry.

It is one hour and 15 minutes later, the final of the 4x200 relay.

The race is expected to be a battle between the United States and West Germany.

West Germany is anchored by Michael Gross.

Until the morning qualifying heats, West Germany held the world record.

Then incredibly, the United States broke the record by more than a second and a half.

Without using their two fastest 200 meter swimmers, Mike Heath and Jeff float.

Heath finished second and float forth behind Michael Gross the day before,

in the 200 meter freestyle.

Now Michael Gross will make the supreme effort.

Just a little over an hour earlier, he created

a world record in the 100 meter butterfly.

His second gold medal and second world record within 24 hours.

Of course I was a little bit tired if this would be my first race.

I would be not so tired, you know.

Now here in the relay final, American coach Don Gambrel's strategy is basic.

Heath, their fastest swimmer, will lead off.

David Larson will swim second, Jeff float third, and Bruce

Hayes will swim the anchor leg against Michael Gross.

The United States will attempt to build an insurmountable lead in the first three

legs, to offset the final challenge by Michael Gross.

In the first leg, the American strategy appears to pay off.

In the duel between the silver and bronze 200 meter medal winners, Mike Heath of the

United States touches off a second in front of Tomas Foner of West Germany.

On the second leg, West Germany narrows the United States' leg.

Jeff float swims the third leg for the United

States against West Germany's Alexander Schwatka.

Waiting alongside Michael Gross for the anchor leg, Bruce Hayes of the United States.

His best 200 time is two and a half seconds better than mine.

So I thought, you know, a minimum of three, and to make it safe had four second lead.

But I knew, you know, coming in and it wasn't that much.

The United States pre-race strategy has failed.

Instead of the three second lead expected, Bruce Hayes

will have only a one and a half second advantage.

For Bruce Hayes, the confrontation is now a reality.

For many weeks before, he has dreamed of this meeting with the Albatross.

You know, mostly in my dreams, I just, I could see him going past me or

something like that, or come in the wall and

him using his big, long arms to out touch me.

So I didn't really win too many in my dreams.

James.

Approaching 50 meters, Bruce Hayes on top leads.

But Michael Gross has nearly made up the original distance between them.

They turn together at the halfway point.

Hayes is on top.

Gross is below it.

Approaching 150 meters, Michael Gross takes the lead.

I think if I had gotten further behind than him

say his waist, then I really would have started.

I really would have thought he's gone past me for good, but

I was able to stay in between his shoulders and his waist.

Pretty much the second half of the race, so

I knew if I got home good, I'd have a chance.

Gross still leads, but now Bruce Hayes, closest to

the camp, is cutting down the distance between them.

The United States first, breaking the world record by more than three seconds.

Though West Germany finishes second, Michael Gross

has won the fastest 200-meter relay leg ever.

Michael Gross of West Germany, who in victory and defeat, gained Olympic glory.

And those who faced Michael Gross will forever remember the experience.

The better for their meeting with the Albatross.

It is 9.30, the evening of August 1st, at Pauli Pavilion on the campus of UCLA.

There the magnificent Romanian team of six young gymnasts

stands on the highest step of the victory platform.

The winner of the gold medal for the team championship.

Standing beneath among the podium in second place, the team from the United States.

Their silver medal is the highest award ever won

in Olympic competition by an American women's team.

The team competition has direct bearing on the individual

all-around championship that will take place in two days.

Half of each gymnast's individual total in the team competition is carried over and

added to their final score in the battle for the individual all-around.

It is two days later.

The 36 finalists for the individual all-around are

introduced to the 13,000 spectators who fill Pauli Pavilion.

Under Olympic rules, only the three highest scorers from

each team advance to the individual all-around championship.

This rule prevents the other three members of both

the American and Romanian teams from competing.

Of the seven highest qualifiers, three come

from Romania and three from the United States.

The Romanian qualifiers, Simona Paulga, Laura Katina, and Akaterina Zabo.

Representing the United States, Cathy Johnson, Mary Lou Rhetton,

and Julianne McNamara.

Four events would be contested.

Uneven bars, balance beam, vault, and floor exercise, so

that all the apparatus can be contested simultaneously.

The 36 finalists are divided into four groups of nine.

Mary Lou Rhetton and Akaterina Zabo are in different groups.

There is additional drama this night.

One of the spectators is Nadja Comineche, who electrified the sports world at the

1976 Montreal Olympics, when she became the first

gymnast in Olympic history to score a perfect ten.

Also at the competition, Nadja Comineche's former coach, Bella Corolla.

Bella Corolla now coaches in the United States.

His two most famous pupils, Julianne McNamara and Mary Lou Rhetton.

Bella Corolla is here in no official capacity.

The head coach of the American women's team is Don

Peters, one of the most respected men in gymnastics.

However, Bella Corolla has obtained credentials in

the technical capacity as an equipment representative.

In first place, as the competition begins, a surprise,

16-year-old Mary Lou Rhetton of the United States.

Trailing by just 1,500th of a point, Akaterina Zabo of Romania.

On her first apparatus, the balance beam, Akaterina Zabo reinforces the many

predictions that call for her to win this individual all-around competition.

She scores a perfect ten.

Earlier on the same apparatus, Julianne McNamara had all but eliminated

herself from gold medal possibilities, receiving low scores from the judges.

She falls from third to fifth place.

Simona Poca of Romania moves from seventh to fourth, with a marvelous 9.95.

Meanwhile, at the uneven bars, as her coach Bella Corolla urges her on,

Mary Lou Rhetton scores well, but not high enough to remain alone in first place.

After one round, Akaterina Zabo and Mary Lou Rhetton are tied for the lead.

In the second rotation, the balance beam becomes the undoing for Cathy Johnson of

the United States in her quest for a medal.

Mary Lou Rhetton stays in contention with a 9.8, but falls to second place overall

when Akaterina Zabo comes through with a 9.95 in her floor exercise.

After two rotations, Akaterina Zabo leads Mary Lou Rhetton by 1,500th of a point,

the exact margin by which she trailed when the evening began.

The third apparatus for Zabo is the vault.

She scores a 9.9.

Meanwhile, at the floor exercise, Mary Lou Rhetton is magnificent.

That's

it.

That's gotta be it.

It's gotta be it.

Her 10 still leaves her 500th civil point behind the Romanian Zabo.

The battle for the gold medal is narrowed down to the last apparatus.

Zabo will compete first on the uneven bars.

She will have completed her exercise before Mary Lou Rhetton competes on the vault.

Zabo can clinch the gold medal with a perfect 10.

Okay, ready for the vault now.

Who gives

another solid performance?

She is awarded a 9.9.

The situation is clear.

Zabo's final score has now been determined.

If Rhetton scores a perfect 10 in the vault, the gold medal is hers.

If she gets a 9.95, she and a cutarina Zabo will share the gold medal.

If Rhetton scores anything less than a 9.95, the gold medal will belong to Zabo.

The control, you know what means height.

Okay, going flat to me.

Yes, feedback is good.

It's everything right now.

All right?

That was a good one.

Okay, so now it's all right.

We are going for it.

We are going for that one.

That's going to be a good one.

Make sure you're on the warmup.

Go nicely.

Hit it up first, hit it the second and try to feel it already.

Do it with it.

We try to feel the landing.

Okay?

Mary Lou, never better.

Okay?

The best, the best what you can do.

All right?

I want to see you now.

No, or never.

Okay?

Are you going to make it?

Okay?

Go high, nicely.

Don't you don't bang.

All right?

Not in U.S.

just controlled after the landing.

Nice height and controlled the landing.

All right?

And you can't control it.

I know it.

You can't control it.

There is no way.

All right.

Other thing is coming now.

It's going to be everything you want.

There is fear that Mary Lou Rhetton will be penalized

by the judges if Bella Corolla moves on to the floor.

It is dawn in Los Angeles.

The air is heavy and the fog has not yet lifted.

On the beaches, ghost-like figures move slowly,

preparing for competition still to come.

Unmindful of the ceremony that will mark the

beginning of a new chapter in Olympic history.

On the running track of Santa Monica College,

athletes from 28 countries march on to the field.

A simple ceremony to commemorate an historic moment.

The start of the first women's Olympic marathon.

Two of the favorites come from the United States.

Julie Brown, who made the 1980 Olympic team in the 800 meters and 1500 meters.

And Joan Benoit, the world record holder in the marathon,

and unbeaten in that distance for almost three years.

From Norway, Ingrid Christensen on the right,

who has run the second fastest marathon ever.

And Bretta Vites ranked number one in the world five of the last six years.

The winner of seven marathons, including the

World Championship in Helsinki, one year earlier.

Well, I personally was more concerned about Joan Benoit because I knew that she

was in good shape after operation earlier in the year.

And also Julie Brown, but I personally was more afraid of Joan Benoit.

All the summer I've been preparing for running in warm weather.

So the day I was glad that it was not so warm as I expected.

The marathon.

Running every Olympic since the games were revived in Athens almost a century before.

The marathon, 26 miles, 385 yards.

Erase of strength, speed, and endurance.

The marathon.

Erase the challenges the land, the competition, and perhaps most important.

One's self.

The marathon.

Until today, run in the Olympics only by men.

In less than two and a half hours, the first

runner will approach the Los Angeles Coliseum.

The completion of her journey.

With the race just seven minutes old, the 50

marathoners share another part of Olympic history.

At two kilometers a little more than one mile, they have already

run the longest distance ever by women in Olympic history.

Two of the favorites run side by side.

Joan Benoit of the United States wearing the white cap and bred a vice of Norway.

At the end of three miles, almost 18 minutes

into the race, Joan Benoit takes a slight lead.

Her move to the front is not challenged.

Many still believe that her physical condition is in doubt.

Her career has been plagued with injury.

I thought it was too early to leave the rest of the fields.

I thought that Joan Benoit would slow down and that we could catch her in the end.

Ingrid Christensen on the right joins her teammate, Greta Vites.

In between Rosa Motach, Portugal and Julie Brown, United States.

Joan Benoit presses on.

She increases her lead as each mile goes by.

She is running without apparent fear of injury or concern for the weather.

It is now clear that two women are setting the temple.

Up front, Joan Benoit runs to her home beat.

The others follow the rhythm of the revered Norwegian Greta Vites.

With the race more than half over, Joan Benoit is as strong as she was when

she took the lead more than an hour and 15 minutes ago.

At 30 kilometers, Greta Vites was one minute and 50 seconds behind Joan Benoit.

Now at 33 kilometers, Vites has picked up 10 seconds.

I've got a little bit closer, but not so much as I hope.

And at that point, I knew that there is no way that I can catch her.

Perhaps the most amazing story of this, the first Olympic women's marathon.

Joyce Smith of Great Britain is in 11th place.

She is 46 years old, the oldest athlete, male or female.

In the track and field competitions.

Of all the favorites, Julie Brown of the United

States has been most affected by the weather.

She has been out of contention since the halfway point in the race.

She is in 36th place out of 50 stars.

Joan Benoit has two kilometers to go.

As Joan Benoit approaches the stadium, it is

with the realization that she is one of the best.

In every battle, a marathon runner must face against the weather, the terrain,

the competition.

As you can see on the screen, the leader, Joan

Benoit, is in the area near the commissivity.

Rosa Molta of Portugal is third.

Ingrid Christensen, Norway fourth.

The second to finish her is Greater White, Norway.

As Joan Benoit receives her acclaim, the rest of the marathoners finish the race.

Rosa Molta, Portugal.

Ingrid D.C.

Youngson,

Lorraine Mullah, New Zealand.

Lisa Martin, Australia.

Thirty-nine-year-old Priscilla Welsh of Great Britain, who finished sixth.

Urges her teammate, 46-year-old Joyce Smith, to the finish line.

Joyce Smith finishes 11th.

The

winner of the first women's Olympic marathon.

It is 7 p.

m.

the early evening of August 4th.

90,000 spectators await the final of the men's 100 meters.

Four weeks, there has been speculation about Carl Lewis' chances of winning four

gold medals, given the 100 meters, long jump,

200 meters, and four by 100 meter relay.

Now, in his first event, Lewis is the favorite after winning his three races,

leading to the final.

To many, the 100 meters is the most critical of the four events for Lewis.

It is the event he fears most.

The slightest mistake at world-class level can mean defeat.

For Carl Lewis, this final has dramatic comparisons to the past.

48 years earlier, at the 1936 Berlin Games, Jesse Owens had won all of his

preliminaries and was the favorite to win the final.

I went through, I think, the ups and downs that Jesse Owens had to go through in 1936

when he was trying to do the same four events.

So, in that respect, he was definitely an

inspiration because I know what he had to go through.

And then being the person that he was, and being someone who inspired me as a

young child to compete, I wanted to meet individually running my events,

but I was also very much inspired by his presence.

Jesse Owens wins, Ralph Mettaph, United States 2nd.

Now, 48 years later, Lewis prepares for those moments Jesse

Owens remembered as a lifetime of training for just 10 seconds.

The noise started to go down and then we started to concentrate.

And just before we were ready to start, some

people were right down close to the track.

And they, uh, come on, Carl, go get on.

I mean, just like two or three people just started screaming like a frenzy.

And that woke me up at that point when I was ready to run.

The men to watch, Carl Lewis second from the left.

His teammates Sam Grady and alongside Grady, Ben Johnson of Canada.

Johnson and Grady are in lanes four and five.

At 40 meters Grady and Johnson in the middle lead, Lewis is coming on.

Carl Lewis first, Sam Grady second, Ben Johnson, Canada third.

The replay shows the explosive power and confidence of Carl Lewis.

Carl Lewis is on the left, Sam Grady on the right.

I got to about the 60-meter mark and I was drawing very close.

So right when I drew even at about 75 meters,

this great big relief of joy just came over me.

And the only thing left was just to finish the race.

So that smile and that relief just broke open and that was my celebration early.

I just said, let me take a victory lap and I remember the one thing I want to do,

since I felt so much USA and so much pride, is just grab something American.

And the biggest thing I saw was this great big American flag, so I smashed a flag.

All that put together just made me feel very proud.

And knowing that the spirit was behind me and Jesse Owens would probably be smiling.

And then later on here, Mrs. Owens say it was just like watching

Jesse because she didn't get to go to the Olympics in 36.

So this is my Olympics for Jesse, so she was very happy.

Late in the afternoon, two days later, 12 finalists walk

onto the field for the final of the men's long jump.

The long jump is considered Lewis's most certain victory.

This was not the case 48 years earlier, when Jesse Owens

was locked in a duel with Lutz Long, the German champion.

Tied with Long, Owens finally moved into the lead with a superb fifth effort.

Then on his final jump, Owens ensured his victory by creating an Olympic record.

Going into the long jump finals, what made it difficult

was that the 200 meter heats were that morning.

So I ran those two races and I had four hours in between events.

So we came out on the field, and first of all we were delayed by the hammer throw.

That slowed things down.

My intention was to try and get one good jump in, the first or second jump,

so that if anything happened, I could sit on that.

The long jump finalists must wait until the conclusion of the hammer throw.

There is fear that a stray throw could land dangerously

close to the athletes near the long jump runway.

That particular time was difficult because it seems like you're

waiting for 16 hours, when you're only waiting six minutes.

It's just the anticipation you want to get into the event, and the adrenaline was

flowing, and there were so many things that I had to think about during that period.

It seemed like that event lasted forever.

Finally, the hammer throw is decided.

Juha Tien in a Finland wins the gold medal.

Now Carl Lewis gets ready for his first attack.

He is the 11th jumper in a field of 12 finalists.

Each competitor will have six attempts.

The longest jump in the first round is 26 feet, six and a half inches.

28 feet, one quarter of an inch.

Almost a foot and a half farther than the previous best lead.

Carl Lewis is in first place.

Larry Marek's Lewis' teammate is the final jumper in each rotation.

He is the last man to defeat Lewis in the long jump three and a half years earlier.

Larry Marek's, one of the few men in history, to jump more than 28 feet.

26 feet, five and a half inches.

More than a foot and a half behind Lewis' lead.

Throughout the competition, Lewis is the 11th jumper in a field of 12.

He will always be followed by his teammate Larry Marek's, the final competitor.

As Lewis gets ready for his second attempt, there are many whose thoughts go

back to the year 1968 at the Mexico City Olympic Stadium.

Their Bob Beeman of the United States makes his first attempt in the final.

29 feet, two and one half inches, the longest jump in history.

A world record that has stood for almost 16 years.

Beeman's world record was considered unreachable, but in the 13 months leading

to the games, Lewis has jumped just four and a quarter inches short of this mark.

Many have speculated Carl Lewis will attempt to break

Beeman's record here at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Now Carl Lewis' second attempt.

He has fouled.

The third round goes by with no major changes in the standings.

There is one surprise.

Carl Lewis passes on his third attempt.

The fourth and fifth rounds go by.

Again, Carl Lewis passes.

It is now apparent that Lewis will not jump again this afternoon.

The sixth and final round gets underway.

Lewis gives no indication that he will take his final jump.

Gary Honey of Australia, second most of the afternoon, gets off his longest jump.

27 feet, one half inch.

But he is still almost a foot behind Lewis' only successful jump.

None of the competitors can improve their position, and now it is Lewis' turn again.

He passes for the fourth straight tie.

If Larry Myricks, the last jumper, can equal his own best leap ever.

28 feet, one inch.

He will defeat Lewis by three quarters of an inch.

After the first two jumps, I decided to pass because the weather had gotten cold.

And I knew with the Olympic trials, even Larry didn't jump

as well in the last three jumps as he did in the first three.

But making a decision to pass and then sit there watching Larry jump was difficult.

I had to take a big chance, because if I had

taken another jump, something might have happened.

But then 28 feet is a long way, but Larry has jumped 28 feet.

I watched Larry's final jump with what I did, because I was very, very nervous.

I knew that he has the capability of doing it.

Myricks worst attempt of the afternoon, 20 feet, seven and a quarter inches.

Almost eight feet below his best effort ever.

On that particular jump, he tried very hard, and I think he got a step-saw.

And I felt bad for him because of the fact that I felt that

Larry had the talent to get a medal in that competition.

Carl Lewis is now halfway towards fulfilling his goal.

Before the week is over, he will run the 200 meters and four

by 100 relay in his quest to win four Olympic gold medals.

Wednesday, August 8, the final of the pole vault.

The pole vault, a combination of many athletic abilities, the speed of a

sprinter, the strength of a weightlifter, the agility of a gymnast.

Volters do not have to attempt to clear every height.

They have the option to pass.

The competition begins.

14 Volters make it to the finals.

However, it has been predicted that the battle for the gold

medal will be among four men representing two countries.

Tieri Vigneron, France.

Earl Bell, United States.

Pierre Quinoa, France.

Mike Tully, United States.

The predictions are correct.

After eight rounds, the two Americans Mike Tully and Earl Bell and the two Frenchmen,

Tieri Vigneron and Pierre Quinoa, are the only

Volters of the 14 finalists left in the competition.

Earl Bell and Tieri Vigneron both cleared 18 feet

four and a half inches and are tied for first place.

They are the only ones to clear this height.

Because they have passed at various heights, Mike Tully is third at 18 feet

two and a half inches, Quinoa fourth at 17 feet ten and a half inches.

Pierre Quinoa's chances are the most suspect.

When he arrived in Los Angeles, he could barely walk.

Every day he would undergo physical therapy

for a severely pulled muscle in his left leg.

Today he wears a bandage.

Though he is still in the competition, he has cleared but one height,

passing seven times.

A week before the games, the question was not whether I could challenge for one of

the medals, but rather whether I could compete at all.

The treatments resulted in some kind of miracle.

On the day of the competition, it really felt good,

but I knew I must not challenge the leg too often.

The bar is now at 18 feet six and a half inches.

Bell and Vigneron pass.

Quinoa decides to make the attempt.

He fails on his first try.

The pole vault is like a chess game.

One must decide at each height, whether the time

both physically and psychologically is right.

Because of my physical condition, I knew I must

conserve my strength until the bar was much higher.

I didn't feel right.

After missing my first attempt, I decided to pass

and use my other two attempts at the next height.

Mike Tully has already missed twice at 18 feet six and a half inches.

Tully is now alone in first place.

Bell and Vigneron are tied for second.

And Pierre Quinoa is fourth.

The bar will now be raised to five metres at 70, 18, 18, and one quarter.

Throughout the afternoon, I was always the

first of the four vaulters that must decide.

All of us were reaching our limits.

The afternoon was long.

I decided to make the attempt at 18 feet eight and one quarter inches.

Incredibly, Pierre Quinoa has taken over first place.

Before this successful attempt, he had cleared

but one height and had passed eight times.

The height is too much for both Bell and Vigneron.

They are eliminated from the competition, but will share the bronze medal.

Mike Tully will not challenge at this height.

He passes.

The bar is raised two inches to 18 feet, ten and a quarter inches.

I was feeling very good.

I decided to keep on placing the pressure on Mike.

Pierre Quinoa reinforces his first place position.

Mike Tully, in second place, almost four inches below Quinoa's effort, passes again.

He will try to win at the next height, 19 feet, one quarter inch.

Quinoa will also make the attempt.

Quinoa was up first in the balling order, and the height was 18, 10, and a quarter,

and he makes it on his first jump.

So what do I do now?

Do I do the same thing I did at 18, 8, and a quarter?

Or go ahead and jump at it and try to make it on

my first, where we can maybe get into a jump off.

My decision was to go ahead and pass again.

I was getting tired, and I really didn't think I'd get into a jump off.

Pierre Quinoa has not cleared 19 feet in the months leading to the games.

Nevertheless, he will try.

Again, I had to go first.

Even though I was in first place, the gold medal was still in doubt.

We each had three attempts.

If Mike was successful and I was unable to clear the height, the gold medal was his.

If neither of us was successful, the gold medal was mine.

Pierre Quinoa has missed all three attempts.

Mike Tully has one jump left.

For Mike Tully, it is the difference between a gold and silver medal.

Mike Tully breaks the plane of the bar.

It is considered an official attempt.

Pierre Quinoa, France, is the winner of the gold medal.

The People's Republic of China.

A country larger than the continent of Australia

with a population of more than one billion people.

The People's Republic of China.

A product of the political revolution of 1949, separating Taiwan from the mainland.

In recent years, the People's Republic of China has gone through another revolution.

A sports revolution.

Today, the People's Republic of China shows promise that they are destined to

become one of the greatest athletic powers of the world.

July 28, 1984.

219 men and women athletes and 50 coaches from the People's Republic of China enter

the Los Angeles Coliseum in the opening ceremonies of the 1984 Olympic Games.

Finally, Chinese athletes competed internationally with the slogan,

Friendship First.

Competition Second.

Winning or losing was immaterial.

This has now changed.

The People's Republic of China has let it be known

that friendship can also come through winning.

And here in Los Angeles, it is predicted that their athletes

will do what no other Chinese athlete has ever done.

Win an Olympic gold medal.

Twenty-four hours later, International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio

Samaranch presents the first Olympic gold medal won at the Los Angeles Olympics.

It has historic significance.

It goes to Shu Haifang of the People's Republic of China.

Shu Haifang, the winner of the men's free pistol shooting championship, is

immortalized as China's first Olympic gold medal winner.

In all, Chinese athletes would win 15 gold, 8 silver, and 9 bronze medals.

In Los Angeles, the prediction before the Games has become a reality.

The People's Republic of China has become a world athletic power.

This is 26-year-old fencer Luwan Zhugei.

Though she's won silver and bronze medals in previous world championships,

she still trains in the tradition of her ancestors.

Here in Los Angeles, Luwan Zhugei makes her way through the preliminary competition.

The favorite to win the foil competition is World Champion Dorina Vacaroni of Italy.

But she is upset by Cornelia Hanish of West Germany.

Now Luwan Zhugei meets Cornelia Hanish for the gold medal.

Luwan Zhugei wins, and again history is made.

Luwan Zhugei becomes the first Chinese and first Asian

male or female ever to win an Olympic fencing medal.

Today, August 7, China faces the United States in

the final of the Women's Volleyball Competition.

They seek to avenge an early round loss to the Americans.

With power, finesse, and determination, they

capture the gold medal in three straight games.

It is six months later Shanghai.

The People's Republic of China pays tribute to its Olympic champions.

In a nationwide poll to honor athletes in all sports, the

top winners are heroes of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The greatest number of votes is received by the incomparable Leaning, winner of

three gold, two silver and one bronze medal in gymnastics.

Leaning wins top honors over lung ping, the

star of the Chinese Women's Volleyball team.

In third place is Xu Haifeng, winner of the pistol shooting gold medal,

and winner of China's first gold medal ever in Olympic competition.

In fourth place, Xu Xianwap, who is expected to win the high jump gold medal,

yet finished third in the competition.

And finally, in fifth place, the one Xu Xianwap,

winner of the women's foil fencing gold medal.

And so history has been written on the playing fields of Los Angeles.

As the national anthem of the People's Republic of China

is heard fifteen times during the two weeks of competition.

The first time ever, the Chinese athletes have stood

on the top step of the Olympic victory platform.

At 5.50 Monday afternoon, August 6th, eight men walked onto the field at the Los

Angeles Coliseum for the final of the 800 meters.

The favorite to win, 21-year-old Joachim Cruz of Brazil.

He had easily won his three heats leading to the final.

Also in the race, two legends from Great Britain, 27-year-old world record-holders

Sebastian Cole, and 28-year-old Steve Ovette, the defending Olympic champion.

Ovette defeated Cole four years earlier in Moscow to win his gold medal.

Then, on the final turn, Ovette in second place made his move.

Cole, in fourth place, had run a poor tactical race

and found himself too far behind to catch his teammate.

Now four years later, here in Los Angeles, the physical

condition of both British runners is questionable.

Until six months before the Games, Cole was suffering with a rare,

limp-land infection that threatened his career.

A problem started at the end of 1982.

It was injured for most of that year.

I got back a little bit during the winter, but never really felt 100%.

I went down in 83 again with this glandular problem

and feeling run down and tired much of the time.

It was just a spiraling circle ever downward.

And I got to the end of 1983 and had a lot of treatment to get rid of the problem.

Since arriving in Los Angeles a few weeks before the Games, defending Olympic

champion Steve Ovette has been played with severe respiratory problems.

One day earlier in the semi-final, one by Joachim Cruz of Brazil,

Ovette exhausted, managed to lunge across the finish line to

gain the fourth and last qualifying position for the final.

British doctors have advised Ovette that

running in the final would worsen his problem.

Now, here in the final, Sebastian Cole becomes Britain's main hope.

Even though defending champions Steve Ovette will make the

attempt to duplicate his Moscow victory of four years before.

The outside runners led by Joachim Cruz of Brazil

in the all-blue uniform break to the inside.

Cruz is content to let Edwin Coetch of Kenya set the pace.

As they pass the 400-meter mark, the halfway point, Coetch

of Kenya still leads, followed by Joachim Cruz in second.

Earl Jones of the United States and Sebastian Cole share third.

Down the back stretch for the last time.

It is Coetch of Kenya leading Joachim Cruz of Brazil.

Sebastian Cole is third.

In last place, Steve Ovette.

With 200 meters left, Cruz in the all-blue uniform makes his move.

Cole and Jones try to go with it.

Joachim Cruz, Brazil first.

Sebastian Cole, Great Britain second.

Earl Jones, United States third.

In last place, defending Olympic champion Steve Ovette.

Ovette is exhausted.

For many years preceding the Los Angeles Games, the world press had reported that

the Coe Ovette rivalry had been unfriendly.

This was denied by both men.

Ovette attempted to clarify the situation.

Said Ovette, we are not the best of friends, nor are we enemies.

Rather, we are rivals.

Straight after the final, I had no idea that

he had struggled quite as much as he had.

I sort of walked away and saw him literally

coming through and sort of exchanged a few words.

He instinctively feeling a great deal of sympathy for the guy.

He was champion last time.

And to sort of go out like that.

Although it was very brave, I know underneath.

It was quite a heartbreak for him.

And I walked ahead and literally a couple of moments later he was struggling again.

Steve Ovette is totally exhausted.

Officials place a call for a stretcher.

In a few minutes, Steve Ovette will be carried from

the field and hospitalized for the next two days.

1,500 meters of men final.

It is Saturday, August 11th, the final of the 1,500 meters.

Steve Ovette has qualified for the final.

One of those missing, Joachim Cruz of Brazil, the 800 meter gold medalist.

After winning his preliminary heat, he withdrew

from the semi-final because of the head cold.

With Cruz out, the winner is expected to come from

one of the five men representing two countries.

Steve Scott, USA.

Steve Scott, and Jim Spivey of the United

States, and three-mileers from Great Britain.

Steve Cram, the 1983-1500 meter world champion.

Sebastian Cole, the defending champion from the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

And Steve Ovette, the world record holder who came in third behind Cole in Moscow.

It is a rare Olympic moment.

These same three British runners made it to the final in Moscow in 1980.

In that race, Sebastian Cole in second place, followed by Steve Ovette,

came out of the final turn to overtake Jurgen Straub of East Germany.

Down the stretch, Cole increases his lead to win the gold medal.

But Steve Ovette must be content with third place.

Steve Cram finishes eight.

Now, here in Los Angeles, all three British runners have had difficult

experiences in the months leading to this final.

Steve Cram has had a succession of groin, calf, and ankle injuries.

Cole was poor form because of his illnesses in the past two years,

almost cost him his place in the 1500 meters.

He was beaten in the British Championships five weeks before the Games, but was

nevertheless selected to join Steve Ovette and

Steve Cram as Britain's 1500 meter representatives.

His selection was almost unanimously disapproved by the British press.

The third British finalist, Steve Ovette.

Ovette appeared for his qualifying heat in the 1500 meters.

Incredibly, he won his heat.

The following day, he finished fourth in the semi-finals to qualify for the final.

He is still played with respiratory problems.

Sebastian Cole breaks out quickly.

But Omar Khalifa of Sudan in the black shorts

and Joseph Cheshire of Kenya make the turn first.

Cole is third, and Ricardo Madarazzi of Italy in the blue shirt, fourth.

Down the stretch for the first time, Steve Scott of the

United States in the old red uniform joins the front runners.

Jose Abascale of Spain is sixth, followed by the two other British runners,

Steve Ovette and Steve Cram.

400 meters, the leader is Khalifa.

Steve Scott of the United States in the red uniform makes a big move on the outside.

He goes from eighth place into the lead.

At this early stage, with two and a half laps left, Scott's strategy is designed to

quicken the pace and force the runners with strong

finishing kicks to expand energy early in the race.

One year earlier at the World Championships in Helsinki, Scott was out

kicked by Steve Cram of Great Britain in a thrilling stretch duel.

Khalifa of Sudan, number 780, follows Scott into

the turn as Sebastian Coe moves into third place.

Cram is behind Coe.

Down the stretch, coming up onto laps to go.

Scott still leads.

Coe is second.

Abascale of Spain moves alongside Khalifa.

Cram is fifth.

They hold their positions for the next 100 meters.

But down the back stretch, Scott has been unable to shake off the other runners.

Coe is second.

Abascale of Spain third.

Khalifa, Sudan fourth, followed by Steve Cram and Steve Ovette of Great Britain.

With 600 meters left, Scott has lost his gamble.

Abascale moves past the tiring American into the lead.

Coe is second.

He is followed by his teammates, Steve Cram and Steve Ovette.

Moving into fifth place, Jim Spivey of the United States.

Unbeknownst to anyone, Steve Ovette is having difficulty breathing.

Into the turn,

with less than a lap to go, the exhausted Steve Ovette retires from the race.

Down the back stretch with 300 meters left, Abascale

leads, followed by Coe and Cram of Great Britain.

Coe now starts his finishing kick.

Cram tries to stay with him.

Abascale is third.

Joseph Cheshire of Tijen has moved into fourth.

Sebastian Cole first.

Steve Cram second.

Jose Abascale Spain third.

My first reaction as I came through the table I think was pleasure.

And then suddenly I just turned to a section of

the British press that I'd had a rough time from.

A lot of them had doubted the fact I was all the year before.

My exact words were, yes, perhaps you'll believe me now.

It is June, 1984, a beach near Casablanca.

Noelle L.

Motowakil has returned home from Iowa State University, where she is a student.

Her homecoming is a sad one.

She grieves for her father, who died in an automobile accident a few months earlier.

For Noelle L.

Motowakil, the return to her homeland is bittersweet.

It was her father's support that made it possible for her

to achieve international stature in the 400-meter hurdles.

Her success is unprecedented in Morocco, where centuries-old customs and traditions

have severely limited the role of women in sport.

He was one of the people who inspired me to come to the track and, you know,

in our type of society, it's hard for lady to go out and practice.

So I needed at that time that somebody came and helped me and stayed beside me,

and that was the only one who was my father.

He used to tell me that one day I may become Olympic champ and I couldn't believe.

My only handicap is my size is kind of short.

So he used to tell me, I want you to be just a little

bit taller so you can win the Olympic gold medal.

It is late afternoon August 8th, the final of the women's 400-meter hurdles.

One of the finalists, Noelle L.

Motowakil, the favorite in the race, her

good friend, Judy Brown of the United States.

All we said is good luck to Israel, that's all.

We couldn't look each other.

We were friends, that doesn't mean that we're not friends, but not in the race,

outside, okay, but not in the race.

The race has historic significance.

This is the first time in Olympic history that women will run the 400-meter hurdles.

Even more, no athlete from Morocco, male or

female, has ever won an Olympic gold medal.

I was the only one girl going to the Olympics from Morocco.

So everybody was telling me that they are hoping I can win gold.

I would say no, that's wrong, I can win because everybody is so strong.

They say no, for that we are bringing with us Moroccan

flag because we trust you and we know you can win.

Noelle L.

Motowakil, in the green shirt and red shorts, is in Lane III, third from the left.

She will be able to observe the favorite Judy Brown in Lane III at the extreme right.

Noelle L.

Motowakil gets a good start.

At the first hurdle, she is in the lead.

Down the back stretch, she increases her lead with every stride and every hurdle.

As Noelle L.

Motowakil approaches the finish, no one is able to challenge her.

I keep turning my head and everybody is just

far behind and was kind of surprising us.

I couldn't believe it.

Noelle L.

Motowakil first.

Judy Brown, United States second.

Kristina Kojakaru, Romania third.

Judy Brown comes over to congratulate her friend.

I think everybody in Morocco really loved her

because she was so nice and she kept hugging me.

And she cried when I cried and she was so happy for me and I was crying.

I couldn't stop crying that day.

I don't know what happened to me.

He feels

compatriots are in the stands with the flag they have brought from Morocco.

I couldn't believe it.

They say, you won't yet.

Go ahead and do one lap.

At the same moment, I was thinking about my father and my family back home.

And I was kind of happy, but I was kind though.

Noelle L.

Motowakil, the first woman from an Arab nation to win an Olympic gold medal.

Noelle L.

Motowakil, the first athlete from Morocco, male or female, to earn the right to stand

on the top step of the Olympic victory platform.

Before the competition in the men's springboard and platform diving began,

one columnist wrote, there are two categories of divers.

There are those who perform with magnificent skill, grace, beauty.

Then there is Greg Luganus.

On the afternoon of August 8, each of the finalists

in the men's springboard competition took 11 dives.

Greg Luganus of the United States led from the first

dive and increased his lead throughout the afternoon.

In the preliminaries and final, he was awarded a perfect 10, 9 times.

Greg Luganus, a reverse one and one half summer

salt, three and one half twists free, 3.3.

His margin of victory, an incredible 92 points.

Winner of the gold medal, representing the United States of America, Greg Luganus.

Now he would attempt to become only the third diver in Olympic

history to win both the springboard and platform events.

For Greg Luganus, the need to excel had its beginnings when he was a child.

When I was a kid, I had a very bad speech impediment.

And so it was difficult for me when I was growing up because,

you know, I'd get up in front of the classroom and read.

And it was so frustrating because I'd make all these mistakes and everybody'd laugh

at me and I, you know, I was ridiculed and everything.

And it was so frustrating that I just shut up.

And that's when I directed all my time and energy into what I could do physically.

I could show people that I could dance, I could tumble, I could dive.

9?

I thought you stood up too straight.

That it didn't matter.

You're so damn high.

But

we're now shown the standings through the completion of nine rounds of diving.

Greg Luganus, his gold medal now secured, gets ready for his tenth and final dive.

The difficult and extremely dangerous reverse three and a half summer salt tuck.

If he executes it well, he will be the first diver in

history to score more than 700 points in the platform event.

One year earlier, a Soviet diver was killed when his head hit the platform at

the start of the dive, more than 32 feet above the water.

I was on the platform when the Russian executed the dive.

I was on the platform and the way that I knew that

he hit the platform was I felt the tower shake.

And my first reaction was to run out to the end and jump in, try and help him.

But that was very difficult to do to remove yourself emotionally from

something, because it was such an emotional thing that happened.

On the afternoon of July 28, 1984, 140 nations marched into the stadium for

the opening day ceremonies of the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

One of the teams marching, the 132 men and women from Romania.

Two of the team members, Marichika Puika, who will run in both the 1,500 and 3,000

meters, and Yuan Puika, her husband and coach.

It was a very memorable day for all of us.

The American public welcomed the Romanian team with so much enthusiasm and affection.

I was in the second row on the outside and people

tell me that they recognized me by my blonde hair.

For me, it was a double celebration because the next day would be my 34th birthday.

Marichika and Yuan Puika prepared for the Olympics in Bucharest.

Since their marriage 14 years before, they have maintained a daily training regimen.

I think the most interesting aspect of the publicity before the race was that most

journalists wrote only about Mary Decker and Zola Bud.

Few people recognized that Marichika had run the fastest 3,000 meters of the year,

and that Mary Decker's best time was less than two seconds better than Marichika's.

Friday, August 10, 12 runners line up for the start of the 3,000 meters.

Four weeks before, the race had been billed as a duel between Zola Bud of Great

Britain and Mary Decker of the United States.

The race begins.

Mary Decker, capable of winning races by running in front or coming from behind,

takes the early lead.

Marichika Puika follows in second place.

Decker chose to run only this race because the 1,500 and 3,000 meters with their

qualifying heats would require four races in four days.

Puika would be the only runner to make it to both finals.

After 200 meter mark, Zola Bud moves into second place behind Decker.

Marichika Puika is third.

I felt quite comfortable and was running easily in third place.

I didn't feel tired after my two days of

qualifications in the 3,000 and 1,500 meters.

It was fortunate because Mary Decker was running a very fast race.

At 800 meters, she was setting a pace close to the world record.

18-year-old Zola Bud is in second place behind Decker.

Leading to the games, she was the subject of worldwide publicity.

She first gained international fame as a 5-foot-2-inch, 84-pound, 16-year-old

prodigy from South Africa who ran barefoot.

With South Africa barred from the games because of its racial policies,

Bud moved to Great Britain four months before the games were to begin.

The following month, she became a British

citizen and earned a place on their Olympic team.

With four laps to go, Joan Hansen of the United States

fourth from last makes contact with Aurora Kunia Portugal.

Out of the turn, Mary Decker on the inside leads, Zola Bud in the middle second,

and Wendy Sly of Great Britain moves on the outside third.

Maricica Puyka fourth, Lynn Williams, Canada fifth.

The rest of the field is strung out in single-file behind the leaders.

Joan Hansen moves closer to the pack.

Down the back stretch with three and three-quarter laps

to go, the four leaders are tightly bunched together.

Before the race, it was predicted that Bud's only

chance for the gold medal was to be far enough.

It was enough in front to hold off the finishing

kicks of Mary Decker and Maricica Puyka.

With 1,400 meters left in the race, Zola Bud inches ahead.

Behind her Mary Decker and Wendy Sly.

Maricica Puyka is in fourth place.

The leader at two kilometers, Bud Great Britain,

the intermediate time shown on scoreboard B.

Into the stretch, Bud and Decker make contact.

Puyka moves between Wendy Sly and Zola Bud to take the lead.

Decker makes an attempt to get back into the race.

Zola Bud has regained the lead.

Her teammate Wendy Sly runs alongside her.

Maricica Puyka is third.

With 500 meters to go, Wendy Sly and Maricica Puyka pass the tiring Bud.

With a little more than a lap to go, the three

leaders again pass by the injured Decker.

Maricica Puyka and Wendy Sly run side by side in the lead.

Zola Bud falls father and father behind.

With 250 meters left, Puyka makes her move.

Maricica Puyka Romania first.

Wendy Sly Great Britain second.

Lynn Williams Canada third.

Zola Bud finishes seventh, just in front of John

Hanson, the first American to fall in the race.

Mary Decker is held to her feet as the last runner

on Yacey Posumai of Italy approaches the finish.

The replay of the fall indicates that the runners were concerned about the

possibility of contact well before the accident.

Five strides before the fall, they may contact for the first time.

I believe the lack of international experience

of both runners contributed to the accident.

However, I truly believe that even if the accident had

not happened, that the result would have been the same.

The victory was a magnificent experience.

Of course, the accident was very unfortunate.

However, I can tell you that if an athlete is well trained for an event and certain

of her race plan, accidents like this should not happen.

I realized the shock and pain that Mary felt.

But to be honest, I think that I would have tried to continue the race.

It would have been so beautiful, so exciting if she had tried to finish.

The final result is something women, this is 3,000.

Marachika Puika stands on the top step of the victory platform.

On the following day, she will receive an additional honor.

For then, in the 1,500 meter final, her fourth race in four days, she is in

sixth place with only 100 meters left in the race.

She finishes third behind Gabriela D'Orio of Italy and her

Romanian teammate, Joina Molinte, to win the bronze medal.

But on this day, she makes Olympic history.

The winner of the first Olympic women's 3,000 meters ever run.

On Tuesday evening, July 31, more than 13,000 spectators filled Pauli Pavilion

for the finals of the men's gymnastic team competition.

Before the event began, the six-man team from the

People's Republic of China was the heavy favorite to win.

One year earlier, the Chinese defeated the

Soviet Union to win the World Championship.

Now with the Soviet Union boycotting the Games, a

Chinese victory is considered a foregone conclusion.

But at the end of the compulsory competition, there is a major surprise.

The six young gymnasts from the United States are in

first place, followed by China's second and Japan's third.

For the United States, the first place positioned at the halfway mark is unique.

No American team has ever won an Olympic gold medal since the 1904 St.

Louis Games, when different gymnastic events were contested.

In a sport where the difference between victory and

defeat is usually measured by a fraction of a point.

The United States lead is even more surprising.

They lead China by more than a point, and Japan by almost three points.

It appears the battle for the gold medal is between two

countries, the United States and the People's Republic of China.

The same six events, judged in the compulsory two days earlier, will be

contested in tonight's optional competition.

The floor exercise...

Parallel bars, side horse, rings, vault, and horizontal bar.

There is one major difference.

In the compulsaries, each gymnast had to perform a predetermined, required routine.

Tonight, in the optionals, each gymnast will create his own routine.

Though each country has six members performing,

only the five highest scores are tabulated.

In the first rotation, the floor exercise, the United States team is consistent,

all receiving good scores.

Meanwhile, at the side horse, the Chinese

are still not performing as well as expected.

At the end of the first rotation, the United States has

increased its lead by an additional 2,500ths of a point.

The Chinese saw superb on the rings in the second rotation.

With their two great individual stars, Lining and Tong Fae, scoring perfect tense.

As the Chinese perform on the rings, the United States team is at the side horse.

They are again consistent, but the Chinese are now in the battle for the gold medal.

At the end of two rotations, the Chinese have cut the United States' lead in half.

In the third rotation, Mitch Gaylord of the

United States scores a perfect 10 on the rings.

Again, the American team is more consistent,

and they add 2,800ths of a point to their lead.

With three apparatus to go, China trails the United States by 8,500ths of a point.

In the fourth rotation, the Chinese continue to make a comeback.

On the parallel bars, they are magnificent.

None of their gymnasts scores less than a 9.90.

The Chinese cut 1,200ths of a point off the United States' lead.

They now trail by 6,500ths of a point.

In the fifth rotation, Bart Conner of the United

States gets a perfect 10 on the parallel bars.

But the Chinese are exceptional on the horizontal bar.

Their lowest score is 9.90.

They gain back another 500ths of a point, and now trail the

United States by 6,200ths, a little more than half a point.

Now the competition comes down to the final rotation.

The United States will be at the horizontal bar,

while the Chinese will perform the floor exercise.

Again, none of the Chinese gymnasts scores lower than a 9.90.

The situation is clear.

If the United States plays it safe, and performs without a major error,

the gold medal will be theirs.

Only a catastrophe on the horizontal bar can defeat the Americans.

That possibility becomes a reality for the third American performer, Mitch Gaylord.

Gaylord is one of the few gymnasts in history, who has

been honored by having his name associated with a routine.

It is called the Gaylord II, a routine considered too risky by every gymnast,

and performed only by Mitch Gaylord.

A routine in which Gaylord leaves the bar with a one and a half somersault,

and a half twist, and then recaches the bar.

If Gaylord were to attempt his spectacular routine

and miss, the team gold medal would be in jeopardy.

The United States coach, A.B.

Grossfeld, would be at the apparatus to act as a catcher for Gaylord.

Grossfeld is well aware that two days earlier in the compulsaries, Mitch Gaylord

scored a low 9.40, missing his routine on the horizontal

bar without even attempting the spectacular Gaylord II.

I knew we were very close to winning the team title, and there's a fair chance that

he could miss the bar, because it's very difficult and very chancey.

So, at that point in time, I looked at Mitch, and I was

thinking I would ask him not to do it, but it worked so hard.

There had been so much to him that weighing all the factors, I took a

personal survey on the number that he caught.

He caught about 75%, several workouts before the actual competition,

so with that in mind, I'd let him do it.

Gaylord's dangerous move takes place early in his routine.

Gaylord's magnificent effort sets the stage for the American victory.

Bart Connors and Tim Daggett follow with spectacular

performances, and the gold medal is now mathematically certain.

It is up to Peter Vidmark to fulfill the last act of the drama.

Five scores count, and I was the sixth man, and

those first five scores did seal the victory.

But nobody was kind enough to tell me that it was

all locked in there, and don't worry about it, Pete.

And I didn't realize that it was locked in, and I know the team couldn't fully

celebrate until I dismounted, but I did get a 9.95.

And the best feeling really was as I landed the dismount and stuck it cold,

I knew that we had won the team title.

And I screamed so loud, and we were jumping up and down so much that when a

time came to get in the victory platform, I was a little

bit lightheaded and I thought I was going to pass out.

Though Peter Vidmark's magnificent effort was not necessary to ensure the team

victory, it nevertheless has great personal significance for him.

In two days, he will be one of the 36 finalists in

the battle for the all-around individual gold medal.

Half of each gymnast score is carried over from the team competition.

When the all-around competition begins, Peter Vidmark will be in first place.

This is 28-year-old Ulrika Myfarth of West Germany.

When she won the high jump at the 1972 Munich Olympics at age 16, she became the

youngest track-and-field athlete ever to win an individual gold medal.

This is 31-year-old Sarah Simeone of Italy.

As a child, she studied ballet, but grew too tall.

She turned to athletics and finished sixth behind

Ulrika Myfarth's gold medal victory at the Munich Games.

At the 1976 Olympics, Ulrika Myfarth did not qualify for the finals, and the

boycott prevented her from competing in Moscow.

As the Los Angeles Games approached, she regained her

early form and became one of the favorites to win.

Sarah Simeone's career skyrocketed after Munich.

She won the silver medal in Montreal, and at the

Moscow Games in 1980, she won the gold medal.

After three Olympics, she had all but retired from

competition as the Los Angeles Games approached.

I changed my mind about retiring, because the Olympic

Games have always given me very beautiful emotions.

Emotions that are very hard to experience elsewhere.

And this time, I was full of love and pride even before the competition began.

I had the honor of carrying the flag of Italy into the stadium.

I felt so close to the athletes.

The people cheering the stands.

It was then that I knew how right it was to live this experience once more.

Friday, August 10th, 4 p.m.

15 women have qualified for the finals of the high jump.

The favorite, 28-year-old Ulrika Myfarth of West Germany.

It is 12 years since she won the gold medal in Munich,

and 12 years since she has made it to an Olympic final.

I remember that I was very tired after the

qualification, and I was also very nervous.

And I think it's nice to counter this, to counter this with a better result,

should I expect.

But the final I felt very good, very relaxed, and I said, today, not or never.

The competition begins.

As each round goes by, Sarah Simeone and Ulrika Myfarth show the way.

By the luck of the draw, Simeone will jump before Myfarth throughout the afternoon.

As the bar goes higher and higher, those who are expected to challenge

Myfarth and Simeone for one of the medals are eliminated.

The bar has been raised in one-meter-in-neighths, which is six feet,

five and one-half inches, and that at equal the Olympic record.

Sarah Simeone.

Ulrika Myfarth.

Debbie Brill of Canada has missed twice and has one attempt left.

Now 31, and the mother of a small child, like Myfarth and

Simeone, she began her Olympic career at the 1972 Munich Games.

Now the real surprise of the afternoon, Joni Huntley,

considered the least likely American to win a medal.

It has now been determined who will battle for the three medals.

Joni Huntley of the United States, a veteran of the 1976 Montreal Olympics,

who today has jumped higher than she has ever jumped before in competition.

Sarah Simeone of Italy, defending Olympic champions.

Ulrika Myfarth, West Germany, 1972, Olympic champion.

Two meters, six feet, six and three-quarters

inches, and you will Olympic record high height.

In the women's height, number 235, Sarah Simeone

of Italy has just established a new Olympic record.

Two meters, six feet, six and three quarters inches.

Until a year ago, Ulrika Myfarth held the world record with a leap that was more

than an inch higher than the height she will now attempt.

28-year-old Joni Huntley has missed her first two attempts.

She has one try left.

Though she fails, the bronze medal is hers.

Results on the women's height, number 22 meters,

are now displayed on scoreboard to A and D.

The ball has now been amazing.

Now the battle for the highest step on the victory platform, between two gold medal

winners who first met at the Munich Games, 12 years earlier.

Simeone's second attempt.

Now 31-year-old Sarah Simeone has one more try.

Sarah Simeone ends her Olympic career, the winner of the silver medal.

Final results of the women's height.

The only woman in Olympic history to win individual gold medals in the same event,

12 years apart.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, August 8th, as the pole vault is taking

place, eight men get ready for the 200-meter final.

The eight finalists are the men's of 200 meters.

It is predicted that the three American finalists, Carl Lewis, Thomas Jefferson

and Kirk Baptiste, will win all three medals.

Carl Lewis is the heavy favorite to win his third gold medal.

A sentimental favorite for many.

32-year-old Pietro Menaya of Italy, world record holder,

and defending Olympic champion from the 1980 Moscow Games.

Pietro was out there.

He was just happy that it was his fourth Olympic

Games, and he was just rooting everybody else on.

He came up and said, congratulations, and I hope you run very fast.

I hope you run very well.

He's always been a number one person to me,

and I've known him for a number of years now.

It's nice to run against people who are inspired by

competition and don't worry about who wins and who does that.

As Carl Lewis gets ready for the 200 meters,

there is again a remembrance of the past.

At the 1936 Berlin Games, Jesse Owens, like

Lewis, had won all his races leading to the final.

Running against him, a worthy teammate, Mac Robinson, the

brother of the famed baseball player, Jackie Robinson.

Mac Robinson has also reached the final without a defeat.

Coming off the final turn, Owens leads Robinson by two meters.

Jesse Owens first, Mac Robinson second, Martin Osindar Pollan third.

Now here in Los Angeles, Carl Lewis second from the left in lane seven.

We'll try to duplicate Jesse Owens' victory.

Kirk Baptiste has a slight advantage in lane three.

Thomas Jefferson is in lane four.

My objective is to try to accelerate all the way through

the turn and then just relax down the home stretch.

Well, that race with having one person outside of me, it was a solo effort

because I went by the guy from Brazil very, very quick.

Carl Lewis first.

Kirk Baptiste second.

Thomas Jefferson third.

The United States wins all three medals.

He ate romania of Italy, the defending champion finishes seventh.

Carl Lewis has won his third gold medal.

In three days, he will run the anchor leg of the four by 100 relay team.

Saturday August 11, the final of the four by 100 relay.

The United States team is capable of running the fastest relay in history.

The lead-off man, Sam Grady, second to Carl Lewis in the 100 meter final.

Running the second leg, Ron Brown, fourth in the 100 meters, postponed a

professional football career to try and win an Olympic gold medal.

Calvin Smith will run the third leg.

He failed to make the 100 meter and 200 meter Olympic team because of injuries.

The anchor leg, Carl Lewis, going after his fourth gold medal.

They meet one last time, just before the race.

We got down to the assembly area, we put our numbers on everything together.

And this time, everybody looked at one another and we just said, let's do it.

And I got a feeling that everybody wanted me to win

that fourth gold medal and we won it at world record.

Lewis will run the fourth and final leg.

The only change in his attempt to duplicate Jesse Owens'

road to four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games.

Then Jesse Owens was the lead-off man.

Jesse Owens in the middle gives the United States a two meter lead.

Ralph Metcalf and Foy Draper add to the United States advantage.

And by the time Frank Wyckoff takes the final pass off, the

United States has a 10 meter advantage and Owens has won.

His fourth gold medal.

Now here in Los Angeles, the United States is in lane five.

Sam Grady will lead off.

The United States main opposition, Jamaica in lane one on the extreme left.

Grady passes off to Ron Brown.

Now Calvin Smith takes the baton.

The United States is in the lead.

Smith passes off to Carl Lewis.

The United States first, Jamaica second, Canada third.

This is how Carl Lewis saw the race.

The gun starts and you think, okay, get a good start and start to accelerate

and Sam is running a good leg, so I'm observing.

That's the good part and the bad part about running ankle leg.

You can observe it.

That's fun.

But then you have to sit there at all this agony.

Sam runs an excellent leg and then when he comes into the

exchange zone, you say, oh my goodness, get a good pass.

Or Ron and Sam had a good pass.

So the sign of relief, the first part is over with.

Ron runs a storming leg down the back stretch and my

chest is getting larger and larger and larger and larger.

Then they make the second exchange and it's a big sigh of relief.

And then Calvin, it absolutely explodes.

He's running through the turn.

It's so anxious to run.

You almost forget that you have to wait for the person to get on the line.

Like two or three times, I want to just run with Calvin 60 meters away.

So the only thing you can do now is just put your hand back and wait for the baton.

I put my hand back and it's right there and I get the baton

and I take it with my left hand and switch to the right.

But once it was switched to the right, everything just said, you've got it.

The whole saw releasing, you've got your medal.

They gave your medal.

And then quickly, in my mind, I said, now let's get all record.

At that point on, I really went for that record and hit that finish line.

I looked up.

My mom went blank.

At that point, I forgot what the old record was.

So I said, did we get it?

I mean, I didn't know.

I turned around and I saw Ron running up with

the biggest smile that I've ever seen in light.

But I said, well, I think we have it.

The time 37.83, breaking the existing world record by three hundredths of a second.

48 years and two days later, Carl Lewis has equal Jesse Owens record.

The gold medal winner in the 100 meters, long

jump, 200 meters and four by 100 meter relay.

It is July 29, 1984, the first day of competition at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

One of the opening events scheduled, the women's individual cycling road race,

a distance of 79 kilometers, a little less than 50 miles.

This is the first time that women will compete in a cycling event at the Olympics.

45 women are entered.

It is predicted that the battle for the gold medal will be between two Americans.

21-year-old Rebecca Twig and 27-year-old Connie Carpenter Finney.

Connie Carpenter Finney is one of the unique competitors in Los Angeles.

She is married to Davis Finney, an outstanding

American cyclist who will compete later in the games.

She is also an Olympic veteran.

12 years earlier, at the Sapporo Winter Games of 1972, when she was 15,

Connie Carpenter finished seventh in the 1500-meter speed skating competition.

Injuries curtailed her career, and she turned to cycling.

Her main opposition, Rebecca Twig, who a few weeks

earlier, defeated her twice in the Olympic trials.

The world press has made this event a personal duel between the two Americans.

The aging veteran, who for years reign supreme, and the newcomer, who many

predicted would win the Olympic gold medal.

Cycling is, in a sense, a contradiction.

One strives to be the first to cross the finish line.

But to reach that goal, one must become an unselfish member of a team.

We were the leaders, but they didn't tell either one to work for the other.

It's kind of known when it comes to the world or the Olympics.

You have to work together as a team, and it's not good for the press to say

that you're rivals, because in that situation you're

not, and you don't want people telling you you are.

I think Rebecca and I made each other better cyclists,

because we wanted to beat each other very badly.

And every race that we came to, probably for the three years before the Olympics.

And I had been on top of the sport for a long time, and she was young and coming up.

And she didn't know what it was like to be second.

She didn't want to be second.

The race will be contested over a prescribed course of hills, curves,

and flatland, with each lap a little under 10 miles.

They will travel the same route five times, just under 50 miles.

It will take them more than two hours to complete the race.

The

race is a combination of strength, speed, and tactics.

A main tactic, drafting, riding behind each other to decrease wind resistance

will conserve more than 25% of the energy used by the cyclists in the league.

The tactic, the attack.

When a cyclist tests the strength and speed of her

opponents by accelerating and pulling away from the pack.

As the race nears its completion, the original

45 contenders are divided into two groups.

Those who broke away from the pack.

And the chases, trying to catch the ladies.

150 meters left, three women battle for the gold medal.

Rebecca Twig on the right.

Sandra Schumacher, West Germany in the middle.

And Connie Carpenter Finney on the left.

Connie Carpenter Finney wins by an inch.

Rebecca Twig second.

Sandra Schumacher, West Germany third.

A replay indicates the race was won and lost by

several factors that could not easily be seen.

As the riders near the finish, Rebecca Twig

on the right was the first to make the break.

In retrospect, it seemed she started her sprint too early.

As Connie Carpenter Finney on the left began her stretch drive, Twig appeared to

be tiring and began veering towards Finney instead of cycling in a straight line.

This perhaps added a few feet to the distance she would travel to the finish.

She lost the race by just one inch.

I saw somebody coming up, I didn't know who it was.

And I just kept going as hard as I could, and it wasn't

until we were almost the line that I knew that it was Connie.

But there's nothing wrong with any silver medal.

I mean, for me it was everything.

I wanted to win the Olympics so badly.

And it would have been my mistake if I wouldn't have won because

I was coming up faster and I knew I should be the winner.

But that was the crowning glory of a long career and gave

me a chance to retire on top, which is what I wanted to do.

Connie Carpenter Finney wins the first individual

women's cycling road race in Olympic history.

It is Thursday, August 2nd, the finals of

the men's individual all-around championship.

36 men have qualified.

They are divided into six groups of six gymnasts each.

They will compete on the same six apparatus that decided the team championship.

Olympic rules permit only the three highest scorers from each country in the

team championship to compete for the individual all-around.

Three gymnasts from the United States and three from China

are among the seven highest scorers as the competition begins.

In first place, Peter Vidmar of the United States followed closely by Lee Ning of

China, Tong Fae of China 3rd, and Bart Conner of the United States 4th.

Mitch Gaylord of the United States and Shuzha Chung of China are tied for six.

27-year-old Koji Guushiken of Japan in fifth place breaks

the dominance by the United States and Chinese gymnasts.

Only 20 hundredths of a point separates first from sixth place.

A mistake on any of the apparatus can radically change the standings.

For Peter Vidmar, the road to the individual all-around final has been a long one.

Four years earlier is a 19-year-old sophomore at UCLA under Coach Mako Sakamoto.

Vidmar was given a good chance to win a medal at the

Moscow Games, but the boycott prevented him from competing.

His Japanese-born coach Mako then made a momentous decision.

He gave up his plans to take a coaching job overseas to prepare Peter Vidmar and

UCLA teammate Tim Daggett for the Los Angeles Games.

Mako told his pupils, I will not leave until you have won a gold medal.

Two days earlier, that goal was achieved when

the United States won the team championship.

Daggett on the left was one of the United States team members to receive a gold

medal, but he did not qualify for the individual all-around final.

Now Vidmar and Mako have a chance at a second gold medal.

For Peter Vidmar, there is additional inspiration.

He was married a year before the Games.

His wife Donna, formerly a gymnast, is in the

arena working as a film production associate.

They are both devout Mormons.

Because of her knowledge of gymnastics and the involvement with her husband,

Donna Vidmar's speed of calculations is faster than modern technology.

Working with pencil and paper, she can tabulate the standings before the

computers announce the scoring to the crowd.

On his first apparatus, the high bar, Peter Vidmar is magnificent.

He scores a perfect 10 and increases his first place lead.

But in the floor exercise, his weakest event, Vidmar folders.

Donna Vidmar knows it is not his best routine.

He receives a 9.80.

Donna applauds but already knows that Peter's lead has vanished.

Because earlier, Leaning of China was awarded a 9.95 on the side horse.

After two rotations, Vidmar and Leaning are tied for first place.

On the third rotation, Koji Guushiken of Japan is awarded a perfect 10 on the vault.

Now with the competition half over, Guushiken has moved from fifth to third place.

Vidmar on the side horse and Leaning on the

rings both get 9.90s and still share first place.

The rest of the contenders, though consistent,

are not moving up on the three leaders.

The battle for the gold medal appears to be among three gymnasts.

Peter Vidmar of the United States and Leaning of China are tied for first.

With Koji Guushiken of Japan, just 25,000th of a point behind in third.

For Koji Guushiken, competing here in Los Angeles is a near miracle.

At age 27, he is considered old for a gymnast, yet

he has never appeared in previous Olympic games.

He was not good enough to make the Japanese team in 1976, and like Peter

Vidmar did not compete in Moscow in 1980 because of the boycott.

Then he was the victim of two extremely serious injuries that threatened his career.

In 1975, at age 18, he broke his ankle.

Upon returning to competition, he ruptured his Achilles tendon.

Though he is an instructor at the Nippon School of Health and Physical Education,

Koji Guushiken remained in competition, overcoming age and injury to compete in

his first and last Olympic games here in Los Angeles.

Now, as the fourth rotation gets underway, Guushiken is at the parallel bars.

All three leaders score 9.90s, and their positions

remain the same with just two rotations left.

Vidmar and Leename tied for first, and Guushiken of Japan in third.

Now the critical fifth round.

By the luck of the draw, because they are in different sections,

the three leaders are performing it precisely the same time.

Peter Vidmar prepares for the vault.

While Koji Guushiken is performing his routine at

the high bar, and Leename is on the parallel bars.

Vidmar, the first to complete his routine, misses the landing on his dismount.

Donna Vidmar knows Peter will lose points on the landing.

She quickly looks to Guushiken.

Her concern is justified.

Guushiken is magnificent, and is awarded a 9.95 to Vidmar's 9.90.

Leename all but eliminates himself from gold medal possibilities.

He receives a 9.80.

Incredibly, Koji Guushiken has moved into first

place over Peter Vidmar by 25,000th of the point.

The battle for the gold medal is narrowed down to the last apparatus between Koji

Guushiken of Japan and Peter Vidmar of the United States.

Both men must commit major errors for Leename to contest for the gold medal.

This is the final act of the drama that began many hours before the competition.

Early that morning, Peter Vidmar went to Pauli Pavilion for a final workout,

expecting to be alone.

I walked into the room, and I saw Koji Guushiken kneeling and facing the corner

of the gym, and he was reading something, and I don't know what it was.

I'm sure that it was something religious, and he was reading out loud.

When I was a freshman in high school, my teacher gave me a book.

I decided the creation of life was living.

My teacher said that with the help of this book,

I'd make the number one gymnast in the world.

The book's message was to develop my skills.

He said, look up to ideas, but do not run away from reality.

Fulfilled the reality slowly.

Look forward to eternity and improve the present condition step by step.

Make an endless wish.

Keep doing things.

Always look back and be enlightened.

Then, just before my performance, I utter the words, top, top, top.

Which means concentrate and perfect yourself,

and you will break through the barriers.

Finally, I looked through the window, and I saw

that he was done, and he bowed toward the corner.

And then I opened the door, and he turned, and I wondered if he even noticed me the

first time, because he looked at me, and I said, oh, Vidmar!

And I said, hello.

And we spoke a little bit in sign language.

We should have the best of luck.

I said, Gumba, which in Japanese I guess means to stay tough.

Now the sixth and final rotation.

This will decide the gold medal.

Both Gushikin and Vidmar will be the lead-off men in their particular sections.

Gushikin in the floor exercise, and Vidmar on the parallel bars.

Incredibly, Peter Vidmar does not know that he

trails Koji Gushikin by 25,000th of a point.

I absolutely did not keep track at all over us.

I was getting so involved in the competition, and I knew the way Donna was

that she did not want to make eye contact with me.

I was right by parallel bars.

So I was right within five feet of him throughout the whole thing.

I was so close and I wanted to just go down there and hug

him and tell him, you only need a 9.95 and you can do it.

As Gushikin performs his floor exercise, Peter Vidmar prepares for the parallel bars.

Gushikin finishes his floor exercise in the background.

Vidmar begins on the parallel bars.

Gushikin receives a 9.90.

Donna Vidmar knows that Peter will need a 9.95 to win the gold medal.

I saw his hop, and I knew the way the scoring was going in the Olympics,

that the judges were taking off for hops.

You had to stick your dismount if you wanted to tend.

And he did take that hop, and I saw it.

And I knew right then that he would most likely get a 9.9, and he did.

And I knew that that meant the silver medal.

For Koji Gushikin, these moments are the fulfillment of his personal philosophy.

Topa, topa, topa, look up to ideals, but do not run away from reality.

Make an endless wish.

If you concentrate and perfect yourself, you will break through the barriers.

In the early evening of August 10, 1984, 12 men walked onto the track for the

final of the 3,000-meter steeple chase, one of

the most ruling events on the Olympic program.

One of the favorites, number 9.19, Henry Marsh of the United States.

For Henry Marsh, the years and months leading to this final have been challenging.

He is not the typical world-class athlete.

Henry Marsh is 30 years old, married the father of three

children, a practicing attorney, and a devout Mormon.

His daily routine leading to the games combined his devotion to his family,

to his legal profession, to his religion, to his athletic career.

Although many consider Marsh usually ranked first or second in the world,

the greatest steeple chaser in history.

His prominence has been marred by an incredible series of injuries and bad luck

that has prevented him from winning a medal at the Olympic

Games, World Championships, or World Cup competitions.

At the 1981 World Cup final in Rome, Henry Marsh, in third place coming off the

final curve, turned in a thrilling stretch drive to win the world title that had

eluded him the year before at the Moscow Olympics, when

he could not compete because of the United States boycott.

But Henry Marsh's victory lasted only a few minutes.

He was disqualified for going around and not

jumping over the next to last water jump.

On the replay, Marsh is in fourth place.

I like to go inside on the water jumps to try to keep the space down.

As I did that, as I made my move to the inside, one of

the runners who had started to fan out cut back inside.

And it forced me right before the water jump to run around the water jump.

Marsh on the right is forced off the track.

I said, oh, no, you're not supposed to do this.

It happened so fast.

And evidently the Italian, it was in Rome, waved at one of the officials there and

said, hey, you know, he can't run around the water jump.

And they pulled me out of the line, they marched everybody

into the stadium, and I was left there without even a place.

Two years later, at the World Championships in Helsinki, Marsh in second

place trails Patrice Ilge of West Germany with one hurdle left in the race.

Marsh finished eighth, ranked first in the world the two previous years.

Marsh would now be ranked second in the world in 1983.

My strategy was to make my move down the final

straightaway thinking that he had already used that burst.

And if I could stick with him, then surely I'd reel him in the last 100 meters.

The problem was I had a mental lapse and all of a sudden there it was.

Then I'd hit my trail leg on it, did a somersault on the track, just stunned.

Got up and jogged home and finished eighth place.

And I was just after the race, I just kept saying to myself, why me, you know?

And I just kept hitting my head and I said,

no, this can't be, you know, this can't be.

Bad fortune continued to play Henry Marsh.

After winning the Olympic trials in June, he was struck by a severe viral infection.

As he gets ready for the start of his qualifying heat here in Los Angeles,

Henry Marsh is still concerned about his physical condition.

To make it to the victory platform, he must race three times in five days.

I talked to the doctors and they said, well, you got two choices.

You can either one train and worsen the virus,

or you can rest and work on getting rid of it.

So I really didn't know what to do.

So I sort of went 50-50.

I trained and did all the speed work that I

thought I would need to maintain my fitness.

But yes, rest more than I had planned on wrestling to try to lick this virus.

And I never did.

Marsh finished fourth in his qualifying heat.

But here in the semi-final, Marsh in the all-red uniform barely manages to finish

fourth again, less than half a second away from being eliminated from the final.

Now two days later, as he prepares to go to the starting

line in the race for the gold medal, he has another setback.

I had time just to do one more form of hurdle.

I went to take the hurdle.

I caught a spike on my sweat pant, and it catapulted me into the hurdle.

I hit the hurdle.

I cut my shin.

My shin was bleeding.

I sprained my knee.

I was lying there on the ground.

I didn't know how bad it was.

And so I just had to rest for a second and see what happened.

Just in a days.

The race begins at the start of the home stretch.

The runners will move past the finish line and

travel the 400-meter track seven more times.

In the course of the race, they will have to

jump four hurdles and one water jump each lap.

A total of 35 obstacles.

The hurdles are both formidable and dangerous.

They stand three feet high and weigh more than 200 pounds.

A miscalculation can cause a serious injury.

Marsh's strategy is basic for him.

He is comfortable trailing the pack throughout most of the early stages of the race.

Marsh, last on the inside, is joined by his teammate Brian Deemer.

As Fettie Bakuche of Tunisia leads the runners after the first water jump,

a spectator leaps from the stands and falls in behind Henry Marsh.

I heard a splash behind me.

And I knew I was the last guy in the race.

And I heard a splash behind me.

I said there's something wrong here.

I didn't know at the time that an intruder had come out the stands and he had taken

the water jump, taken her hurdle, and it

followed us all the way down the back stretch.

And I heard the steps all the way down the back stretch.

I just tried not to focus.

I really didn't know what it was.

I didn't know that he was alluding to police and running down the track.

I guess after they had caught him once, he broke away from him and did it again.

And I was trying to concentrate so much on this race.

But it was very distracting to hear all these people laughing.

Henry Marsh settles into his accustomed position at the back of the pack.

As the race progresses, he will slowly pick off the runners in front of him.

It was a fast pace.

I just didn't feel comfortable to pace.

And even though I knew I wasn't 100%, I kept telling myself, I said,

Henry, this is it.

This is everything you trained for.

You don't step off this track until you've given it everything you've got.

With two laps to go, Peter Renner of New Zealand in the all-black uniform leads,

followed by Julius Corrieur of Kenya and Brian Deemer of the United States.

Corrieur wearing number 586 is considered Marsh's main opposition.

He has won both his qualifying and semi-final races easily.

Marsh has passed six runners and is now in sixth place with 500 meters left.

With a little more than a lap to go, Marsh on the outside makes his move.

Corrieur of Kenya first, Marsh second, Joseph Mahmood, France third, Julius

Corrieur of Kenya fourth, and Brian Deemer United States fifth.

Henry Marsh makes one final bid.

Julius Corrieur of Kenya will not be caught this day.

Marsh, exhausted, is passed by Mahmood, France.

He must now hold off his teammate Brian Deemer for the bronze medal.

It is evening August 11th.

The victory platform ceremony for the men's high jump.

Henry Marsh now fully recovered, returns to the Olympic

Stadium 24 hours after he collapsed at the finish line.

For Henry Marsh, as in the past, it was not the end, but a new beginning.

No matter what sort of pain you go through, it's worth

it because it's going to be a lifetime of memories.

You're only a success if you get up one more time than you fall, and so if I were

ever to quit after a fall, then I wouldn't deem myself as a success.

And that's what life's all about.

Henry Marsh's philosophy, the lifelong pursuit of excellence.

I feel like everything that's happened in my life has happened for a purpose,

and I don't fully understand the purpose.

If there's one athletic achievement I'd like to have that I don't have,

it'd be an Olympic gold medal.

And that is a dream for me.

And if I fulfill it, or if I don't fulfill it, I always will dream.

And so it was on the evening of August 12th,

the 16 days of glory came to their close.

And the young men and women who gave us this daily celebration joined together for

the last time to say their final farewells.

They had entered the arena, made the attempt, and competed with honor.

And all of them would go back to their homes, the better for it.

And for these moments, there was beauty on this earth.

It was left for one poet to write.

We have seen the best that is in us.

A tribute to all the hopes and dreams of our youth.

A hymn to the highest forms of the human spirit.

A hymn to the nations.

O mighty Father here, our prayer, and bless our home and earth.

With random dirt, your fields, and with come the working men to her love.

O mighty Father!

And the surprise, the treasure, we sing the word forever.

Then we shall leave to the world what's won.

O mighty Father!

O peaceful Netherlands, where your flag unfolds in freedom.

O

peaceful Netherlands, where your flag is full of dreams.

O beautiful Netherlands, where your flag is full of dreams!

O beautiful Netherlands,

where your flag is full of dreams.

For a land of arms in nature's gates, for you be rich and command.