NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Alain Mimoun

Alain Mimoun O'Kacha (born January 1, 1921) is an Olympic marathon champion from Algeria. He competed for France as the French was the colonial power in Algeria during his career. January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 1921 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The Olympic Games, or Olympics, is an international multi-sport event taking place every two years and alternating between Summer and Winter Games. ... Although marathon sometimes refers to any athletic event requiring great endurance, more specifically it refers to a long-distance road running event of 42,195 m (26 miles and 385 yards). ...

Born in El Telagh, Algeria, Mimoun lost several years of competition to World War II. After the war, he was several times French champion in the 5000 meters and 1000 meters. His path to an Olympic gold medal was blocked in both 1948 and 1952 by the Czech champion Emil Zátopek. World War II was a truly global conflict with many facets: immense human suffering, fierce indoctrinations, and the use of new, extremely devastating weapons like the atom bomb. ... The Games of the XIV Olympiad were held in 1948 in London, United Kingdom. ... The Games of the XV Olympiad were held in 1952 in Helsinki, Finland. ... Emil ZÃ¡topek listen? (September 19, 1922 - November 22, 2000) was a Czech athlete and Olympic gold medalist in long distance running. ...

Zátopek and Mimoun, while rivals, were great friends. They competed against each other for a final time at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956. Mimoun, age 35, and Zátopek, age 34, were seen as champions in their decline. They both competed in the marathon an event where runners peak in their thirties. The Games of the XVI Olympiad were held in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia, although the equestrian events could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations. ...

It was extremely hot in Melbourne on the day of the marathon. Zátopek, beset by injuries, suffered in the heat but Mimoun seemed to come to life as the temperatures reached 97 degrees (36 celsius). Mimoun went on the win the event. Additionally, Mimoun had become a father that morning. His daughter was named Olympia.

At the finish line, he waited for his friend who came in sixth. Zátopek was dazed by the temperatures. He looked at Mimoun who said, "Emil, why don't you congratulate me? I am the Olympic champion." Mimoun and Zátopek then embraced. Mimoun called the moment more valuable than his gold medal.

Mimoun continued to compete after Melbourne. He was on the French team for the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. Mimoun won his final national championship in 1966, twenty years after his debut. He is a national hero in France with over thirty gymnasiums and the stadium in Bugeat named in his honor. The Games of the XVII Olympiad were held in 1960 in Rome, Italy. ... City motto: Senatus Populusque Romanus â€“ SPQR (The Senate and the People of Rome) Founded 21 April 753 BC mythical, 1st millennium BC Region Latium Mayor Walter Veltroni (Democratici di Sinistra) Area - City Proper 1290 kmÂ² Population - City (2004) - Metropolitan - Density (city proper) 2,546,807 almost 4,000,000 1...

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