“BRIGHT PATH STRONG -The Resiliency Of Jim Thorpe”, Part 6, whose life and legacy will soon be presented in an upcom

“BRIGHT PATH STRONG -The Resiliency Of Jim Thorpe”, whose life and legacy will soon be presented in an upcoming Hollywood film! Sixth In A Series – The Jim Thorpe Memorial – A Surreal Awestruck Visit -Photo Essay

This has been a lot of Olympic history as Jeff Benjamin gives the late Jim Thorpe and his fans a voice!

Five Olympics – so many memories

Five Olympics-Five Memories

Why Carl Lewis and Leroy Burrell should coach US relay team: A modest proposal for our short relay teams

A Surreal & Awestruck Visit To The Haunted Legacy Of Jim Thorpe.

Jim Thorpe statue, photo by Jeff Benjamin

By Jeff Benjamin

About two miles away and uphill from the thousands of white water rapids tourists and visitors coming to the town of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, the namesake Athletic Legend’s body lays in a small yet immaculate memorial park, replete with richly descriptive statues, markers, and praiseworthy tributes.

Jim Thorpe plaque, photo by Jeff Benjamin

Yet, despite the appreciation and awe, one cannot help but feel surreal over how Thorpe’s remains wound up here as the 1912 Olympic Champion never set foot here while alive.

Jim Thorpe statue, with discus, photo by Jeff Benjamin

In this epic controversy and subsequent court battles involving Thorpe’s family and the Town which culminated with the United States Supreme Court, both sides seem to be firmly entrenched with no hope for now of any just decision.

Jim Thorpe plaque 2, photo by Jeff Benjamin

A good summary of the case can be found here from 2013 –

Jim Thorpe history , photo by Jeff Benjamin

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P79UlGvCgzc

The US Supreme Court’s Decision To Not Hear The Appeal from 2015 –

Jim Thorpe history: The Carlisle Years, photo by Jeff Benjamin

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2015/10/06/sports/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-jim-thorpe-appeal.amp.html

So, for now, for better or for worse, Jim Thorpe rests here in the town of Jim Thorpe, PA, but perhaps not peacefully.

Jim Thorpe history: The 1912 Olympics, photo by Jeff Benjamin

Bell Lap –

-For more information on the film please go to

https://brightpathmovie.com/

– A petition for the reinstatement of Jim Thorpe into the official IOC record books can be found here at

https://brightpathstrong.com/petition

– Robert Wheeler’s paramount Jim Thorpe biography is getting a reissue soon BUT if you wish to purchase a copy now check out

https://www.amazon.com/Jim-Thorpe-Worlds-Greatest-Athlete/dp/0806117451

Author

Jeff Benjamin
Jeff Benjamin has written for 30 years for American Track and Field along with RunBlogRun. The Former President of the Staten Island AC & Chair of the Staten Island Running Association was the 5th man scorer for his Susan Wagner High School NYC XC City Championship team. Also a member of the College of Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame for XC, Jeff currently serves as the LDR Chairman for USATF NY. A passionate (or fanatical) follower of the Sport, some of Jeff's subjects have included Sebastian Coe, Emma Coburn, Eamonn Coghlan, Matt Centrowitz, Jim Spivey, Galen Rupp, Joe Newton, Tom Fleming, Ajee’ Wilson, Bill Rodgers, Allan Webb, Abel Kiviat, Jordan Hassay, Marty Liquori, Caster Semenya, Rod Dixon, Carl Lewis and Jim Ryun as well as Book Reviews and articles covering meets and races in the Northeast U.S.
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