An Unforgettable Marathon Finish - Gabriela Andersen-Schiess | Olympic Rewind
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 5. 12. 2014
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Switzerland's Gabriela Andersen-Schiess finished 37th in the inaugural women's Olympic marathon at the Los Angeles 1984 Summer Games. However, her refusal to quit the race despite the exhausting conditions and suffering from dehydration led to an iconic Olympic moment as sheer determination saw her over the finish line.
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i remember also this glory moment of Gabriela, I was watching the event with all my family around me, and when she appears in the stadium , my father came closely near the television and said " go girl, never give up , never give up " , and my mother went into tears , and when she crossed the line, I remember my father telling me and my sister " what you have seen now is not a sport event, what you have seen is a women fighting against her weakness and struggling to prove herself. many of the people who you will see in your life will not achieve half what that women achieved, it is not about winning , it is about giving all what you can and never give up, never give up"
That's AWESOME!
đđą
what a good story you have
What an amazing father you have, you must be so proud of him.
Amen! All things are possible with God!
She tried, she ran, and she finished. She's a winner.
shes amazing, not a winner though
Finishing what you started, nearly dying in the process, a determination to persevere. If that's not winning then you really need to get off the couch. She won. She overcame and beat the event. Any athlete worth a damn knows that there's only one competitor and that is yourself. No one else matters except you. Oh, and even with all that she went through, she still managed to finish the race in under 3 hours at 2:48:42 which was only 15 minutes off her best time which she placed first in California the year before. There were also 50 participants in that Olympic Marathon. She came in 37th and 6 runners actually didn't finish. So yeah, tell me how she's not a winner.
no,she's a Lady!
Well yes, there is always that philosophical perspective about people who try hard are "winners" but in reality, the winner is the person who comes in number 1.
I feel sorry for you then. Such an outlook must make your life and those around you very disappointing in your eyes.
I was at this game!! I was an 11 year old boy when my father took me. We sat close to the front row. When this lady came in and everyone could see her struggling, it was unbelievable what happened next. Everyone, without speaking a word, stood up in unison and cheered this lady to inconceivably will herself all the way to the finish line. She dug deeper than anyone I have ever seen. I have never witnessed anything like this in sports or other venues in life. Spectators from all over the world cheering an individual regardless of the country for whom she ran. It has impacted me to this day. She is my hero. She is up there with the Tank Man and Rosa Parks.
Boudosaved z
Wow. That must be an amazing experience. O.O
BRAVO !!!!! THAT IS INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE!!!!! WOW!!!!!
Thanks from Italy for sharing with us your experience .
I get you totally.
I was at the Coliseum that morning, age 22. I was there with a buddy from work, and we felt lucky to be there for the first women's marathon. By the time Andersen entered the stadium, most folks figured they'd seen everything interesting that was going to happen, but it was still cool because there was this collective appreciation among 100,000+ for this historical event. When we started seeing that she was hurting, we weren't sure what was wrong. It looked a lot like she had an injury for a time, as many of us didn't know what dehydration might do. The last 100 meters was painful to watch. I'll tell you, when 100,000 people have every bit of their energy focussed on one person, vicariously willing her forward, you can feel it. I've never felt anything like it, and everyone in the stadium to whom I've spoken has talked about this unique experience. When she crossed the finish line, the mixture of emotion, relief, joy, and concern just erupted. Everybody around us, including me and my friend, became emotional and I didn't want to cry in front of my buddy, but you just couldn't help it. I kind of looked around sheepishly, but every other human there was weeping, and that's contagious. I've only ever felt that collective emotion among so many people one time since, but that was totally different on 9/11, and I'm not comparing at all. I'm just saying that this was the first time I'd felt it. Like this momentary bond, not only with a struggling person, but with everybody who witnessed it. I've used that memory to remind me of the commonness we all share, even among strangers. Powerful stuff.
+Michael Lynn - Great comment, Michael. How lucky you were to witness Gabriela Andersen-Schiess finish her race in the Coliseum. Like you say, 100,000 people focusing on one woman struggling with all her might to complete the last 100m is powerful stuff and shows again the type of gripping drama only sport can provide.
These days we forget that the Olympics is not just about a nation chalking up as many points as it can in the medals table. Its as much about finishing last and giving it your all, and not having regrets having done so. That's a competitor's gold right there. Hell, as Gabriela said, she set out knowing she would come nowhere near the leaders, but still gave it everything - a true Olympian.
Equally, though, you have to know when to quit. Paula Radcliffe did the right thing when she dropped out of the Marathon in the 2004 Olympics. She also dropped out of the 5000m a few days later, sensing something wasnt right. Not much Olympic spirit was shown by the ignorant British media who lambasted her. A few years later, she answered her detractors by destroying the Marathon world record, which no-one has come close to since.
Heck, your post made me wipe away a tear!
What a beautiful comment.
What a touching comment :) Watching the actual footage and hearing your story really allowed for the raw emotion of that event to hit home - must have felt a real privilege to witness such inner strength and to connect and empathise with another human's struggle in such a way x
WOW
She still clocked a 2h48 marathon in Los Angeles summer heat. Incredible.
I always thought she came in last, but she didn't...
@@fkvdmark Yep she finished 37 out of 44 runners. Extremely impressive considering the state she was in by the time she entered the stadium for the final part of the marathon.
This woman is the embodiment of the olympic spirit.
She most certainly is........"respect"
Exacto, muy pocos o nadie recordarĂĄ a la ganadora, sino a esta mujer que tuvo que sobreponerse para llegar a la meta.
I gotcher embodiment hangin
YEAH! Everything for the money.
She conquered near-death.
And crossed The Line.
The M A R A T H O N
Some times a victory against your own limits worths more than any gold medal.
It'd be even more beautiful if the grammar was correct.
Retterime I'm sorry. I'm not a english native speaker.
It was a joke.
A singularly unfunny joke. An apology would have been appropriate.
No need to apologize. None.
I was 27 and my brother and I were in the Coliseum (stadium) that day. We were about the 5th row up. When Gabriella came out of the tunnel on to the track everyone stood and applauded and just kept getting louder as she went around the track. It was one of the most electrifying moments in my life!
I was 15 back in 1984 and remember it being showed on tv here in Brazil. If I were to mention one single moment of any Olympic Games that never left my mind, it is this one. I forget all the winners but this 37th place will be forever in my mind.
Same here..
Ninki muluk nin ok ok Inn jijik jijik ji8 kot j ok ni i8 ni nji New Noh j kuyup ni ininnjnon okok j ni i ku jjo jet i kunyit nn biru Makmas mmmmmnnnmnnnmnijj ni ni unik ijioij jijik j Jie i ini mu mimi okNo inii8jjioinimmkkmmmknkjmnmiikor ynm8kiiiJo kii8j jijik j ibumu j7nja nya biji8inmmmkmommmkmi mmmkmmmmkmkmnnnj ku 8unjj nur j ku jijikmimmn kiut nnjijjjijito nak makannnnnnnnnnnmnnnnninnnnm88jku mi kunyit jijik j min Jeiutuhiiiinninmnn kok in UM lagi iinnmninnnnn min jj jj jijikj ikut 8i ku ji ni nj ok im ni nanti8jji8jkok ni info j ku m LTE ji jih bibir ohm nun jhv hio j biji 8iji8 krew ni8iii8 nnnnnnmn kok i8 jijin8ki imInnJie Jie n utuh joki
Kupu inmkKu ok ii ojnnnkini jjj ni j ni Jun biji klik httpUM 8j ni. U78 juju okokhm UM niniinjnknii butuhiim8jiini not b bingung ong bini nu8 jip
Same here my friend
The true winner of the marathon. It's funny I remember more this than the official winner
I wish they'd make honorary olympic medals for such cases. Every single time I watch it I cry. Fantastic effort and a HUGE gold medal in my heart!!
Benoit was the gold medal winner. Gabriella was the winner of all the memories this marathon. Because she gave us a lesson of perseverance, braveness and sport pride. It's impossible to forget her
I just want to say: Although she went so slow on the last part, she still averaged 15km/hr. Even many experienced runners cannot keep this pace for long.
Since this was the first time women could run aswell in the olympics (1984), she in not only an embodiment of the olympic spirit but also a representation that women belong everywhere where men belong too and everywhere they want to.
I remember watching it live. At first the commentators said she should be stopped, she can't make it on and on. But as she continued to walk. the standing ovation from the crowd, all eyes were on her, the changed their tune. Said she had incredible resolve to make it to the end. What an event. What an incredible athlete.
I remember crying watching her that day. She had the courage of a lion.
Winning from yourself is always so much more powerful then winning against others. This lady is amazing! As long as you don't give up you just can't lose.
Yes well supported
I was 17 years old, watching it that summer. I will never ever forget it. My mom was watching with me and started crying while watching this amazing moment.
This moment remains the most powerful sporting moment I have ever seen. I was 14 when I saw this, and it had an incredible impact upon me. The courage I still feel over 20 years later. I cry every time I see it.
Every now and then I go back to this video just to be reminded that we have hope as humans. Her determination and perseverance, plus the support and compassion of the crowd made this moment beautiful.
She actually "won" the Gold medal in her own unique way. That was the historic moment watched by millions all over the world.
There's a water station coming from my eyes.
HAHAHAHHAA
Whenever I am in the blues and need motivation I watch Gabriella Anderson and keep going. Never giving up!
I know a watched a lot of the Olympics that summer, when I was seven years old. But this moment stands out as the one I remember most vividly to this day.
Hello ! Iâm Thai who love to play badminton. Your story makes my eyes well-up in tears and keep playing badminton even Iâm not that good but every time Iâve been on the court, it turns me the better version of myself đđŒđđŒđđŒđđŒđđŒ
The night before my first marathon (1991 Marine Corps Marathon), I was thinking about Gabriella and what she had to overcome. At that time, my longest training run was only 18 miles, and I had to seriously wonder if I had what it took to run 26.2 the next day. So I asked myself "What are you made of?" And then the answer came to me...and it has been my motto ever since: "You find out what you're made of when you see what it takes to stop you."
Anyone who wishes to adopt it for himself or herself...please feel free to do so! Whatever happens, never stop! Never, never, never, never, NEVER!!!
To me anybody who makes it to this games is already a winner. WOW just WOW what a warrior she is!!!
I remember watching this race on TV. She was right about the stadium. The people were urging her on, and the noise level was mind-boggling. When she finally crossed the finish line, the crowd exploded with cheers, and the noise level went noticeably louder.
I remember watching this lady finish on television that day with my parents; who at the time were also marathon runners. I remember my Father tearing up, thinking what she was going through there at the end and him saying she was what a true champion looks like :)
Gabriela is one of the finest Olympians ever. She succeeded.
I am the 41 years old now Till now i remember you make a difference in may life every time i fail I remember you
I was 8 years old . I wish if i see you
She is what the marathon is about! She definitely made proud the first marathon runner to whom the marathon is dedicated to. The ancient Greek who ran the marathon with his armament only to tell Athens that they won the war against the Persians, a message so crucial to deliver that he did not stop and died right after delivering it! She did not stop until the very end, to win the first female marathon of the Olympics and deliver the message that it's not about gender but strength of your will!
i guess that first greek marathoner didn't stop at any water station.
I was 14 at this marathon. SheÂŽs inspired me to run, and IÂŽm still running.
You were awesome then and still is. I watched that race. I was 25 and cheering with all I had in me.. nothing but love â€ïž đ for this woman!!!
I remember watching this on TV live when I was 9... It changed me. I have never said "I can't" because of watching this. What a great example for young people to see and realize what determination and Heart, really means!
Some of the most inspiring stories aren't from people who won against other people, they are from people who won against their demons
well said .
Agreed!
i dont think dehydration from humidty and hot weathet of Idaho is one of her personal demons.
Neil Kapadia but she had to keep to herself going. She pushed through and finished the race! Even if all she could do was limp. :)
+Neil Kapadia Y so harsh bro
it isn't a winning story but a great success story... racing against yourself... motivational.
the best line from the whole video is when she says that
I didn't deserve the attention and I felt ashamed
this shows the true humility and character
crazy so few water stations.
Hello, she missed the last water station :-(
She is a hero.
There was still too few. Changed now.
check up the 1904 olympic marathon:
""British-born Thomas Hicks of the United States ended up the winner of the event, although he was aided by measures that would not have been permitted in later years. Ten miles from the finish Hicks led the race by a mile and a half, but he had to be restrained from stopping and lying down by his trainers. From then until the end of the race, Hicks received several doses of strychnine (a common rat poison, which stimulates the nervous system in small doses) mixed with brandy. He continued to battle onwards, hallucinating, barely able to walk for most of the course. When he reached the stadium his support team carried him over the line, holding him in the air while he shuffled his feet as if still running. The judges decided this was acceptable, and gave him the gold medal. He never ran professionally again. Hicks had to be carried off the track, and might have died in the stadium had he not been treated by several doctors.""
Water is the problem. Dilutes electrolytes and causes cramps., dizziness and brain swelling.
Gosh, I have seen this live on tv in 1984 - I was so shocked to see this, really, this poor woman struggling. I had prayed she would not succumb to the dehydration - she could have died out there....will never forget this
I recall watching this as it was happening. I never forgot this woman's name after all these years.
Buelligan88
Yeah. There are iconic Olympic athletes (that may also compete in other contests) that you just can't forget.
Gabriella Andersen Scheiss, Vasily Alexeev, Olga Korbut, Mark Spitz, Miruts Yiftur, Teofilo Stevenson, Chi Cheng, etc. etc. etc.
r5t6y12 Teofilo Stevenson... there's a name I haven't heard in years.
I remember seeing this when I was in high school. It shows that it's not whether you win or lose, but that you finish the course.
I literally cried, you can feel the struggle she was going through & her not giving up is just a miracle
This is almost shocking. I never saw this before. Her determination to reach the finish line!!! WOW!!!
Incredible, inspiring, brought me to tears!
i love this woman!!! i am a professional runner and man this woman is tough!! i love you i love you
+Bernard lubrido He runs in the big money races, probably!
Lady,you are truly an inspiration not only in sports,but also in life, because life itself is a Marathon,too.
You won that match
Don't ever give up
Never back down.
Thank you a lot, OUR TEACHER,OUR LIFE COACH
This is the only athlete I remember from this marathon. Because she was so persistent and brave. Congratulations to a true fighting spirit!
She still ran a 2:48:xx marathon in the heat and with (obviously) way too little water. I ran marathons as a man and never got close to 3 hrs. And she did it in 1984 shoes etc too.
Even more impressed barring the obvious impressive factor of willpower.
She was 39 too
I was in the Coliseum that day. Most people don't remembered who won, but nobody could forget the Swiss woman who finished. She would stop, and we would cheer her on to start moving again. Then we would feel guilty, because we were causing her so much pain. This repeated itself several times. Americans won a lot of medals in the LA olympics, but the biggest applause was for a Swiss runner who crossed the finish line 37th!
her body was literally breaking down, but her mind was somehow still urging her body forward through sheer willpower alone....incredible
This is one of those moments I will always remember. What drive and determination.
That's so cool that you were able to interview her all these years later!
im crying ..respect for you madam...
I watched it first time 34 years ago and it still amazes me. She is a true inspiration!
Great determination..my eyes are watering... cant stop thinking about the mental state
arun prasad wee 4musicsa
salsa latina
Malayali aanallo.. Hi dear
I was a seven-year boy watching this marathon on TV. Like me, many may not remember who won that marathon in the first place, but they remember her. Thank you Gabriela, for teaching us what perseverance and determination are. đ
This brings me in tears every time I watch it
If this does not inspire us all to keep going, nothing else will ... a humble salute to Gabriela!
When she says, "Making it that far ..." she's not just talking about this one marathon. She's talking about the years and years and years.
I remember seeing this on television when I was little. Seeing it again... whoo! Still gets me when she crosses that finish line!
The absolute display of determination in humanity
Esse foi, sem duvida, o maior exemplo de superação em uma olimpĂada. Momento mĂĄximo do esporte em todos os tempos!!! đȘ
Watched this live, and watching it again brings a tear to my eyes. And I thank technology that I can say a "Congratulations, Mrs. Andersen - Schiess", even 37 years later...
i was 7-8yr old.I was at Pescara - Italy on "holiday" with my father and my sister.
I remember that moment like was today.vividly.
What a great story, what a great woman.
Thanks for sharing!
I was 16 back then, she became my heroine, the reason I wanted to be an athlete.
O ComitĂȘ OlĂmpico falhou ao nao entregar a essa maravilhosa atleta a medalha BarĂŁo de Copertain. Essa Ă© a cena mais importante jĂĄ ocorrida em todas as OlimpĂadas. A cada pouco tempo assisto os vĂdeos desse momento e passo a meus filhos para que entendam a importĂąncia da garra e determinação.
Raw power of the human mind.
That's why I love running... You're in so much pain at first and towards the end that it makes all your problems go away at least while you're trying to get from point a to point b.
My pain worsens at mile 20. The last 0.2mi is devious. Who invented this damned race?
notice the brilliant - let me emphasize it again - BRILLIANT camera men catching the scenes, crowd etc. in the stadium.
Go on girl!! You rocked determination and showed the world how life should be lived
Ninguém se lembra da vencedora dessa maratona. O que eternizou foi esse imagem inspiradora. Imagem eterna.
Sensacional esta histĂłria! Ela foi, de fato, uma heroĂna olĂmpica! Quanto foco, quanta determinação, quanta perseverança, quanta resistĂȘncia essa mulher mostrou ao mundo! Que exemplo!!! ParabĂ©ns, Gabriela, vocĂȘ assombrou o mundo com a sua garra. VocĂȘ deixou um forte legado. Portanto, serĂĄ lembrada para sempre, sem querer tornou-se imortal.
Her race stayed with me all these years too, 14 at the time, still inspiring after 30 years
The sheer magnitude of impact she made to the world I don't think can be described! Till this day it impacts people's lives!
A remarkably candid retelling of the event. Bravo Gabriela, if feel your humility.
I remember watching this live. She was incredible in her determination to finish the race. Loved seeing all the crowd standing up to cheer her on. Truly the Olympic spirit.
this is one lesson for eternity
Tenho um orgulho exacerbado por estĂĄ atleta olĂmpica, meus olhos jorram lĂĄgrimas. Obrigado pelo seu feito heroico, me identifico com a senhora.
Splendid! Inspiring, pure determination and will power. This athlete teach us all what it take to be great !!!!!!! Thank you Gabriela.
watched this many timnes, . still cheer her on, and still cry for her, SHE FINISHED, I saw this the first time around in 1984, so much respect for her.
You were amazing. A true inspiration to never give up. We witnessed your struggle and admire your determination to get to the finish line.
What an inspiration to hear her story. What a brave finish! She had to dig very deep for those last few hundred meters! There is nothing easy about running a marathon and in that heat and with only 4 water stations the odds were stacked. Well done Gabriela!!!
In the late 70's I flew with Gabriela from Sun Valley Idaho to Boise in a small single engine airplane to run in the Boise Half Marathon. She won the women's race, and I placed 2nd in the men's. I don't remember talking to her much on the flight, but I remember seeing her run the Olympic marathon in 1984 and wishing I had known her better.
You had a place in olympic history.
She is my sheer motivation for my next track and field race. This video taught me all that matters is that you try.
A Champion. We should all try this hard in life ...
She deserved all the applause she got, and should be remembered for her incredible endurance and. determination to finish.
I could see her live. I thought Gabriela wonÂŽt cross the finish but when she did I enjoy so much for her. So much. For me, Gabriela won the gold medal. IÂŽm sure of it.
9:35 "I've learned that you HAVE GET OVER BAD EXPERIENCES AND NOT DWELL ON IT. Hopefully you look at it as what it is, an experience and hopefully learn something."
This would be termed the ultimate lesson a human of this generation and age could learn.
WHY?
Because reducing an experience, good or bad, to what it is, just an event, DISABLES THE EGO.
The ego is temporary but the experience can be carried along for ever.
"Bad experience"? How many people get to compete in the Olympics , even considering if you lose? It is something that few people will ever experience. Of course a lot of people don't care for it, but anyone who appreciates the very idea of qualifying to compete should realize that it is something that most people will never do in their lifetime.
L Martinez
She doesn't mean competing at the olympics a bad experience. She considers a bad experience the way her BODY REACTED where she had cramps and pain and that made it an unpleasant experience. Don't mix things up, she later on goes on confirming she loved the overall experience of competing at the Olympics.
As much as I have utter admiration for the fastest, most elite runners (because I can only imagine how hard they've had to work to make it look easy), I can't help but love runners like this. It shows a kind of mental strength that is beyond me. What a role model.
I could barely run 30 minutes. I can't imagine how difficult it was running for an hour or more. Massive respect all marathon runners
tips from me 1 be black 2 live in africa 3 train hard 4 have a talent because 30 minutes is a lot. i (13) can run 2 km in 10 minutes. don't take the point 1 and 2 serious
I could watch this vĂdeo again, and again, and again...for the rest of my life...just amazing...
I can honestly say I have experienced that kind of pain. I am no great marathon runner. I have done only 5. The first when 51. My last, at 71, (London) was a killer. IT-band problem from 13 miles. Had to massage it every half mile (1km). The endless pain was horrible!!
I fell on my knees at about 25 miles. I wanted to cry, I was as much exhausted by the endless pain as my aching body.
People were shouting - I didnât realise for a few minutes they were encouraging ME, not someone else. I got up. I finished. So embarrassing - 6 hours. But I got a medal.đ€·ââïž
She is really HERO!!!!!! Motivating story!
I shed a tear watching this remarkable testimony. đ
why am i crying
Gabriela Andersen ....i will never forget this name đđ»đđ»đđ»
Wow, this woman was amazing!
Impressionante a perseverança dessa mulher. Chega a nos dar garra e vontade de não desistir como ela
This is so inspiring , a couple of tears are running down my face, God bless you Gabriela! I love running!