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Jopa79

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Aug 14, 2016
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Louis_Zamperini_at_announcement_of_2015_Tournament_of_Roses_Grand_Marshal.JPG

Louis Zamperini (1917-2014)

Zamperini was an American Olympic distance runner (Berlin 1936 - 5 000m finalist) and a veteran of World War II. He's best known as a survivor of being a Japanese prisoner of war and the movies about his biography and the afflictions during the World War II. The annulment of Helsinki 1940 Summer Olympics was a huge setback for Zamperini's ambitions.

Zamperini tried to qualify in two events for the Berlin Olympics, but he couldn't make it in 1 500m, in contrast during the 1936 North American heat wave he competed against the American favorites in 5 000m qualifiers - beating most of them and tying with the US record holder, Don Lash he qualified for the Olympics. With an age of 19 years and 178 days Zamperini still remains the youngest American Olympic qualifier in a 5 000m race.

Living in poverty and being a Depression-era youngster in his adolescence Zamperini astonished the waitering, refreshments, the service - all the signs of welfare and the willingness to serve during his Olympic experience. Zamperini gained 5 kg of weight during Berlin, it was not so advantageous for his running, but necessary for his health, Zamperini had lost 7 kg during the heat of the New York Olympic Trials.

Zamperini didn't expect to run for the gold medal in 5 000m event in Berlin, he and Lash both knew they were underdogs against the WR holder, Finnish Lauri Lehtinen. Zamperini finished the race 8th being the better-placed of the American runners in time 14:46,8. Lehtinen finished 2nd in time 14:25,8. But Zamperini ran the last lap in 56 seconds, enough to catch Adolf Hitler's attention -Ah, you're the boy with a fast finish said Hitler in a private meeting with Zamperini.

During the WWII service Zamperini was deployed to the Pacific Ocean as a second lieutenant and he was a bomb aimer in a B-24 Liberator crew. On May 27th in 1943 Zamperini's aircraft was lost - now it's known that the plane had to crash to the Pacific Ocean due to mechanical problems. Zamperini saw some of his crew mates dying during this 47-days cast-away-spent in a life raft at the sea.

After reaching land at the Marshall Islands Zamperini was captured by the Japanese Navy. From this point Zamperini's life was a survival in the captivity until the end of the war, August 1945. Living every day under very harsh and cruel conditions, beaten, starving, mistreated.

Although Zamperini survived the captivity he suffered the repercussions later during his life. He had nightmares and used a lot of alcohol, trying to forget his experiences during POW-era. Struggling with these post-traumatic disruptions Zamperini finally found peace as having faith and being a religious. He visited his former captors and guards from the POW-era and forgave them. Louis Zamperini died naturally in 2014.

Gunnar_Höckert_1936b.jpg

Gunnar Höckert (1910-1940) won Berlin 1936 5 000m Gold Medal

Höckert was a Finnish long-distance runner, Olympic Winner of Berlin 5 000m race, WR-holder, OR-holder and a Finnish hero of the deceased. He lived his adolescence in prosperous conditions which was very unusual in Finland during the 1910's-1930's. Gunnar's father was a successful banker and following his father steps Gunnar also studied hard graduating as an economist.

After the 1920's and the success of the original (Nurmi-Ritola-Kolehmainen) Flying Finns the fantastic prosperity of the Finnish long-distance running only resumed. Höckert was coached and trained under the instructions of Paavo Nurmi. In Nurmi's view Höckert was considered absolutely the most 'promising' of the dozens of the Finnish runners in the 1930's. A great sad and pity, that due his illness and the World War II Höckert had only one top season and an ultimate (1936) during his sporting career.

In Berlin a few days earlier the 5 000m race the Finns had already achieved a triple victory in the 10 000m race (Salminen, Askola, Iso-Hollo). Höckert didn't participate the 10 000m event, but he qualified easily to the 5 000m finals. In the finals Höckert raced hard against his fellow country-man, Lauri Lehtinen, the WR-holder and the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Winner just beating him narrowly with a few seconds, Höckert's winning time was a new OR, 14:22,2.

Hampered by rheumatism Höckert was rejected in 1939 during the Finnish Army draft and mobilization, but he volunteered and was accepted. Well-bred, civilized, but modest Höckert served as 2nd lieutenant and a platoon leader in Karelian Isthmus. During the Soviet offensive and breakthrough in February 1940 near Summa in an encounter and a skirmish between the Finns and the Soviets Höckert was killed during the combat.

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The Medalists of Berlin 5 000m race. 1st Gunnar Höckert Fin(Center) 2nd Lauri Lehtinen Fin(Left) 3rd Henry Jonsson Swe(Right)

*This story is written to motivate and encourage people. Existing and achieved should be respected as well as other people should be treated with a respect.
 
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