As the 2024 Summer Olympics unfold in Paris — a city that also hosted the Summer Olympics in 1924 — it’s a perfect moment to reflect on the enduring legacy of America’s greatest Indigenous athlete, James Francis Thorpe (Jim Thorpe). Though over a century has passed since his remarkable achievements, Thorpe’s athleticism remains iconic.
Jim Thorpe, a member of the Sac and Fox Nation, captured the world’s attention with his extraordinary performance at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden, where he earned gold medals in both the decathlon and pentathlon. His versatile talents extended beyond the Olympic arena; Thorpe excelled in collegiate and professional football, baseball, and basketball.
Honored as a member of the 50th and 75th Anniversary All-Time National Football League (NFL) Teams, Thorpe made an impact on football that continues to be celebrated. He was also named to the All-Pro Team in 1923 and the NFL’s 1920s All-Decade Team. His career accomplishments and accolades are numerous, yet it is his Olympic triumphs that continue to resonate most powerfully across Indian Country and beyond.
In 2024, President Joe Biden posthumously awarded Jim Thorpe the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors. This prestigious award is given to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public, or private endeavors. Thorpe’s inclusion among the nineteen recipients underscores his remarkable legacy and enduring impact on American culture and history. Thorpe’s White House citation is as follows:
Jim Thorpe (d. 1953) was the first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal. The country’s original multi-sport superstar, he went on to play professional football, baseball, and basketball while breaking down barriers on and off the field.
Jim Thorpe’s legacy truly is remarkable, not only because it reflects his own achievements but also because it continues to inspire and elevate others in the world of athletics. Athletes like Janeé Kassanavoid from the Comanche Nation are modern-day heroes, extending this legacy into new arenas and continuing to break barriers.
Janeé Kassanavoid’s achievements, including her historic bronze medal win at the world track and field championships and her dedication to inspiring Native American youth, highlight the ongoing contributions of Indigenous athletes to the world of sports. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that athletic excellence is not confined to the Olympics or any single arena; it thrives in every corner of the world and in various forms of competition.
Other world-class Native Olympic athletes are Duke Paoa Kahanamoku (Native Hawaiian, 1890-1968) who was a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming, winning medals in 1912, 1920, and 1924. Track and field legends include Andrew Sockalexis (Penobscot, 1892-1919), who placed fourth in the 1912 Marathon; Lewis Tewanima (Hopi, 1882-1969), a two-time Olympian who won the silver medal and set an American record for the 10,000 meters in 1912; and Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota, b.1938), who won gold in the 10,000 meters in the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. Retired U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne, b.1933) served as the captain of the Olympic judo team in 1964. Kahanamoku, Mills, and Thorpe join other elite athletes in the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
This summer three Indigenous athletes — all Native Hawaiians — are representing the U.S. in Paris: Carissa Moore, in surfing; Heimana Reynolds, in park skateboarding; and Micah Christenson, in volleyball. Canada has fielded a quartet of Indigenous athletes in the Summer Games: wrestler Justina Di Stasio, swimmer Apollo Hess, diver Margo Erlam, and men’s volleyball player Fynn McCarthy.
Today there are scores of Indigenous/First Nations athletes on collegiate and professional teams in sports such as track and field, basketball, hockey, soccer, softball, boxing, lacrosse, and more. Many appear in the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame.
Indigenous communities birth top athletes. The vibrant display of athleticism at powwows is another testament to the physical power and cultural richness of Indigenous communities. Powwow dancers are not only culture bearers but athletes with tremendous strength, endurance, and tradition that honor the athletic spirit embodies in figures like Jim Thorpe.
Observing these dancers in action reveals a deep-rooted heritage of athleticism that continues to thrive and inspire.
To celebrate Indigenous Olympians, it’s important to share their stories by highlighting their journeys, achievements, and the cultural significance of their participation; increase Indigenous sports programs that support Indigenous youth; and promote inclusivity within sports organizations and media to ensure broader representation.
When watching the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, let’s recognize and celebrate Indigenous Olympians who continue to serve as role models and sources of pride for Indigenous peoples.