Brave Hearts

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Eye Care Foundation

Page 88

The Brave Olympian
included a 100 metre run, long jump, shot put, high jump and a 400 metre race. On the second day, the participating athletes had to take part in the 110 metre obstacle race, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw and 1500 metre race irrespective of any consideration of physical fitness. Further, it also included boxing, swimming etc. According to the rules, all these events had to be completed within a period of two days only, even if it meant extending the playing period into late hours. Hence when a player completes one event he goes straight into the next without a pause. No special credits are given to forestall a rival competitor but credits are obtained by getting closer and closer to the world records. When a single mistake is committed even in one of the ten events, the entire effort loses value.
On 5th of August 1948 Bob Mathias entered the decathlon event at the London Olympics. He did not have any training or experience in pole vault or javelin throw before just three months of the London encounter. A select band of participants from twenty countries were completing in the event. The competition began on the dot at 10-00 in the morning and continued till 8-00 p.m. in the evening. When he returned to the Olympic village, he was rated third among the world competitors. He could not sleep that might, even though he felt very tired.
Next day turned out to be the most unfortunate one in the · long history of the Olympics. It was raining heavily and there
was fog everywhere. The grounds were littered with mud and mire. Bob remained on the ground continuously for twelve hours. When raining, he would cover himself with a blanket and when his turn came, he would throw it away and participate as per the schedule. By the time the javelin throw event was called, there was complete darkness on the grounds, so much so that lights had to be provided on the starting line.