Alain Mimoun
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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.
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.
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.
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.
| Olympic medalists in athletics (men) | Olympic Champions in Men's Marathon |
| Spiridon Louis | Michel Théato | Thomas J. Hicks | William Sherring | Johnny Hayes | Kenneth McArthur | Hannes Kolehmainen | Albin Stenroos | Boughera El Ouafi | Juan Carlos Zabala | Sohn Kee-chung | Delfo Cabrera | Emil Zátopek | Alain Mimoun | Abebe Bikila (twice) | Mamo Wolde | Frank Shorter | Waldemar Cierpinski (twice) | Carlos Lopes | Gelindo Bordin | Hwang Young-Cho | Josia Thugwane | Gezahegne Abera | Stefano Baldini |