Was Jim Thorpe truly the most exceptional athlete in history?
In the realm of sports and Native American history, the name Jim Thorpe continues to echo with significance. More than seven decades after his passing, Thorpe—a member of the Sac and Fox Nation—is being celebrated by Native Americans and beyond, thanks to recent efforts that have restored his rightful legacy as a legendary athlete.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially reinstated Thorpe as the sole winner of the 1912 Olympic decathlon and pentathlon in 2025, correcting a historic wrong that had tarnished his record for nearly a century [1]. This recognition affirms Thorpe's athletic greatness and serves as a testament to his resilience and cultural pride in the face of attempts to erase or assimilate Native identities.
Thorpe's story is deeply intertwined with the broader Native American experience. He was sent to the Carlisle Indian School, an institution designed to strip Native children of their culture and enforce assimilation into dominant white culture. Yet, despite this oppressive environment, Thorpe excelled athletically, becoming a symbol of Native American strength and perseverance [1].
His legacy is honoured through various cultural events, memorials, and media projects. An upcoming TV series, developed with the involvement of Thorpe's family and Native historians, will highlight his identity, perseverance, and legacy beyond just sports [3]. The town of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, named in his honour in 1954 and where he is buried, also hosts annual events to honour his life and legacy, further cementing his place as an iconic figure celebrated by Native Americans and others alike [5].
Notable figures from various walks of life have shared stories about Jim Thorpe. Biographer David Maraniss, author of "Path Lit by Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe," has chronicled Thorpe's life in depth. Hip-hop artist Tall Paul, an Anishinaabe and Oneida artist enrolled on the Leech Lake reservation in Minnesota, has dedicated an album to Thorpe's story, titled "The Story of Jim Thorpe." Journalist Patty Loew, director of the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research at Northwestern University, has also contributed to the ongoing narrative surrounding Thorpe [2].
The legend of Jim Thorpe was made during the 1912 Olympic Games, where he participated and demonstrated his exceptional skills in various sports. Former President of the United States, Dwight Eisenhower, even played against Thorpe on the football field, acknowledging Thorpe's abilities by stating that he could do everything that others could do and do it better [4].
Activist Suzan Shown Harjo, a Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee, has also been instrumental in recognising and celebrating Native American contributions to history and sports. She was awarded a 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom for her efforts [6].
In summary, the restoration of Thorpe's 1912 Olympic titles by the IOC, the ongoing cultural celebrations, and the various media projects dedicated to his life and legacy all serve to honour the legacy of Jim Thorpe, a Native American icon who symbolises resilience, cultural pride, and excellence in sports.
Sports honour the legacy of Jim Thorpe, a legendary athlete and symbol of Native American strength and perseverance. Despite being sent to the Carlisle Indian School, an institution designed to erase Native identities, Thorpe excelled in various sports, including during the 1912 Olympic Games.
