Louie Zamperini: Athletics
Louis Silvie "Louie" Zamperini (born 1917 in New York, died 2014) was a middle distance runner from the USA who competed in the 1936 Olympic Games as a 19 year old in the 5000m and finished 8th.
Greatest Sporting Achievements
His greatest achievement was finishing 8th in the 1936 Olympics 5000m race, with a signature fast last lap of 56 seconds.
Why Were They So Good?
Zamperini was not an exceptional athlete (if you can call any Olympian that), but is more known for his exploits after his sporting career.
What You May Not Know
Zamperini was an American World War II prisoner of war survivor and later became a Christian inspirational speaker. Zamperini is the subject of two biographies and the 2014 blockbuster film Unbroken. There is also a short film made of him, Zamperini: Still Carrying the Torch.
Related Pages
- More from athletics
- Athlete Database home
- About the sport of athletics
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