Justice for Jim! Wins Fully Reinstated by IOC
Support Jim Thorpe
Sign the Petition
Our Stories Matter
Join the Akapamata Movement
RIGHT History – Return Jim Thorpe’s Wins
Reinstate an Indigenous Athlete’s Olympic Titles
Watch our Talking Circle Featuring Oren Lyons
Amplify Native American Stories & Voices
Who is Jim Thorpe?
Jim Thorpe, a.k.a. Wa-Tho-Huk (meaning Bright Path) was a Native American athlete, actor, and humanitarian who dominated in nearly every sport he played, despite all odds.
@brightpathstrong
Have you heard of the #FiveMoons, a group of elite, trailblazing Native American Ballerinas? ✨🤩✨ If you ...
Mar 9
Have you heard of the #FiveMoons, a group of elite, trailblazing Native American Ballerinas? ✨🤩✨ If you haven’t, we’re here to tell you about them this #internationalwomensday! 🩰
The Five Moons, as they were called later in their careers, included Yvonne Chouteau (Shawnee/Cherokee), Moscelyne Larkin (Shawnee/Peoria), Rosella Hightower (Choctaw), Marjorie Tallchief (Osage), and Maria Tallchief (Osage).
All five were groundbreaking dancers in the early 20th Century and performed together and separately from the 1930s through the 1960s. The Five Moons toured extensively in the U.S. and sold out audiences in Europe and around the world.
As the first-EVER American Prima Ballerina, Maria Tallchief was arguably the most famous of the Five Moons. She revolutionized ballet and even co-founded the New York City Ballet, where she became the company’s first star in 1946.
Each of the Five Moons founded ballet companies or taught ballet in some form or fashion their entire lives. They were honored in November 1991 with an elaborate mural on the ceiling of the Oklahoma State Capitol Rotunda. It was one of the last times they all gathered for a public event. Rosella Hightower was the first to pass away in 2008, and Marjorie Tallchief was the last to walk on in 2021.
Their influence and memories live on in many ways. Maria Tallchief will grace the U.S. quarter later this year as part of the American Women Quarter Series. Also in 2023, the United States Mint will release a coin featuring all of the Five Moons on the gold $1 Native American coin.
This #internationalwomensday, enjoy these photos and learn more about their incredible impact. ⚡️ #brightpathstrong
40 years ago today, the International Olympic Committee took a step in righting a historical wrong committed against ...
Jan 19
40 years ago today, the International Olympic Committee took a step in righting a historical wrong committed against Olympic gold medalist and the greatest athlete of all time, Jim Thorpe. #OnThisDayInHistory 📜 the IOC presented new gold medals to Jim’s six children at a ceremony in Los Angeles. 🥇🥇 It was the first move to correct one of the biggest sports scandals of all time.
Back in 1912 Jim won the Pentathlon and Decathlon in spectacular fashion at the Stockholm Games. He shattered nearly every record in his events – some of which remained unbroken for 60+ years.
But six months after his stunning performance, the IOC stripped Jim of his medals and from the record books. The IOC ruled Jim violated “amateurism” rules by playing semi-pro baseball two summers while at Carlisle Indian Industrial School.
Jim’s actual circumstances were more complicated though. In 1912, he a ward of the federal government and earned only a meager wages, enough to pay room and board. This was a common for Carlisle students to survive during the summers. And his Olympic wins were in track & field, not baseball.
It was a shocking decision, and despite decades of pressure from the athletic community, lawmakers, and other advocates, the IOC refused to budge from 1913 to 1983.
Finally, on January 18, 1983, the IOC partially reversed its position and awarded Jim’s family duplicate gold medals and amended the official record to show Jim as “co-champion” of his events. Unfortunately Jim died in 1953 so he never lived to see partial justice.
It wasn’t until July of 2022 that Jim’s legacy ultimately achieved true justice. The IOC finally corrected the Olympic record thanks to a campaign by #BrightPathStrong and our many allies. Jim is once again listed as the SOLE champion of the 1912 Decathlon and Pentathlon after a 110-year battle, and his place in history is forever enshrined.
Pictured at the 1983 ceremony are (from left) Thorpe children William, Charlotte and Gail Thorpe, former International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch, and additional Thorpe siblings Richard, Grace and Jack Thorpe. (📸 courtesy AP) ⚡️ #GOAT #Olympics #NativeAthletes
#DYK Jim Thorpe was once an advisor for a youth program designed to help kids get fit while staying out of trouble? Jim ...
Jan 18
#DYK Jim Thorpe was once an advisor for a youth program designed to help kids get fit while staying out of trouble? Jim was an advisor to the Windy City Park District Athletic Program that worked with children on Chicago’s South Side. 👫
He served as an advisor and even a referee for the 1948 Junior Olympics for Chicago kids. 🏃♀️🏃🏽 Around 400 boys and girls competed in the events, which consisted of five individual track and field events and a relay. It mirrored the actual Olympics, complete with opening ceremonies that included a parade and flag-raising ceremony. 🇺🇸
Organizers at the time said the Junior Olympics was held “in conjunction with the drive against juvenile delinquency.”
Join us in honoring Jim’s commitment to young people this #InternationalMentoringDay! ⚡️ #BrightPathStrong #NativeAthlete #Mentor #SacAndFox #Potawatomi #GOAT #Hero
