The Native American Who Won Two Olympic Gold Medals – Then Had His Titles Taken Away Before History Finally Reversed The Decision

The IOC, in other words, had not merely been harsh or inflexible in punishing Thorpe.

It had also been operating outside its own rules in accepting the protest at all.

This discovery, combined with the sustained advocacy of the Thorpe family and the growing political pressure from American political figures who supported reinstatement, finally moved the IOC to act.

In October 1982, the IOC Executive Committee voted to restore Thorpe’s honors.

The 70-year marathon, as one of Thorpe’s daughters would call it, appeared to be over.

It was not.