Marathon runner Carlos Lopes won the marathon at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games after being run over by a car with a historic record.
An athlete who shone on and off the field thanks to his talent and perseverance
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Athletics It is one of the most challenging sports, capable of combining endurance, speed and strategy. The Olympic Games saw the birth of great legends who left their mark on history, proving that perseverance brings rewards. Athletes such as Usain Bolt and Mo Farah, who earned millions thanks to their talent, are examples of how this sport changes lives.
One of the names that stands out for its courage and resilience is Carlos Lopes, a marathoner who not only broke records, but overcame an accident days before obtaining the Olympic glory.
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Carlos Lopes, the marathon runner who made history at the Olympic Games
This legendary athlete was born on February 18, 1947 in Valdemoinhos, Portugalin a humble family full of desires and owners. From a young age he worked to help his parents, working as a watchmaker. His first sporting love was football, but when he was rejected because of his physique, he discovered his talent for long-distance running almost by chance, when competing with other young people from his town.
His potential became clear when, at the age of 16, he finished third in a junior cross-country championship, leading him to be the best Portuguese in the category worldwide the following year. This was just the beginning of a career that would take him to the top of the sport.
Throughout his career, Lopes went from being a young man without great expectations to a world-renowned athlete. In 1976, he obtained the silver medal in the 10,000 meters in the Montreal Olympic Games, Portugal’s first medal in athletics. Despite facing multiple injuries, his perseverance prompted him to try his luck in the marathon, a discipline in which he found his true specialty.
The moment that defined her career came at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 1984. A week before the competition, Lopes He was hit by a car while training. Miraculously, he emerged unscathed and not only competed, but won the marathon in a record time of 2:09:21. At 37, he became the oldest Olympic champion in the history of the event, writing his name in the history books of Portuguese sport.
An athlete who shone on and off the field thanks to his talent and perseverance
Source: Ambito
