This 1996 video traces a century of Olympic stories from the 14 American athletes who participated at the first games in 1896 to more than 600 Americans who competed in Barcelona in 1992. Amazon.com offers this 94 minute production (get it used if they are out of stock) that was written, produced and directed by Bud Greenspan and narrated by Will Lyman. Although there are many Americans who are shown briefly in this film, there are a few main stories, each lasting from two to six minutes, that include runners. These segments include running footage as well as interviews with the athletes.
Betty Robinson was the first woman in track to earn a gold medal by winning the 1928 100 meter event in Amsterdam at age 16. In 1931 she was in a small plane crash and after years of recovery she was able to return to Olympic competition to win an additional gold medal in 1936 by running the third leg of the 4 x 100 meter relay.
Wyomia Tyus stood in the pouring rain to except her 100 meter gold medal during the 1964 Tokyo games.
Dave Wottle outkicked Yevgeny Arzhanov and Mike Boit, giving Arzhanov his first loss in three years, in the 1972 800 meter final.
Joan Benoit separated from the pack at three miles during the inaugural women's marathon in Los Angeles in 1984 in won in 2:24:52. She left behind legends such as Grete Waitz (2nd in 2:26:18), Rosa Mota (3rd in 2:26:57), Ingrid Kristiansen (4th), Priscilla Welch (6th, age 39), Joyce Smith (11th, age 46).
