This film highlights five stories that are very personal to Director Bud Greenspan. Each segment is unique, attempting to bring new insights into the notable career of each athlete. Non-running athletes include: Nadia Comaneci of Romania in gymnastics, Duncan Armstrong of Australia in swimming, and wrestling heavyweight Alexander Karelin of Russia. Two segments that involve running follow. Considered by many the purist long distance runner in history, the story of Abebe Bikila is legendary. A member of Emperor Haile Selassie's Palace Guard, Bikila amazed the sports world by winning the 1960 Rome marathon by running the entire distance without shoes. His Olympic victory was the first ever for an athlete from an East African nation. The final segment spotlights Dan O'Brien from the USA. At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics O’Brien dominated in the first day of the decathlon, but he found himself locked in a struggle with an unlikely challenger, 21-year-old Frank Busemann of Germany, who was turning in the best performance of his life. This presentation glimpses into the character of these athletes, their willingness to work hard for their dream and finally to accomplish all that is right in the Olympian's pursuit of excellence. This is a 2001 Showtime Original.
