No matter how many times I watch Billy Mills winning the 10K during the Tokyo 1964 Olympics, I become extremely emotional, smile and am almost brought to tears.
I'm crying so hard watching this, so beautiful to see this achievement knowing all that Native Americans have endured and continue to endure. It is our duty as Americans to listen to and uplift the indigenous people.💜
When Billy was passed by others, they bumped and jostled him. When Billy turned on the jets, he went outside letting his opponents have their line. He has been such a good champion, always sharing. He lost his parents at a young age and struggled to keep his bearings but, when he needed him, the spirit of his father was at his side. A true and gracious champion.
I thought the first bump with the Australian wasn't too bad. A little bit of fault for each guy. But then the Tunisian blatantly pushes both guys out of the way. S/have been disqualified.
For real though, I watched that and thought, “how much pushing, shoving, pulling physically is allowed?” I would have guessed none, however this race was rather physical in a very intentional way
One of the very great Olympic moments. Challenges were nothing new to Billy. He faced them all of his life. A proud native American, marine, and Olympic champion. The very best representative of America I say.
I work at the front desk at a gym in Sacramento, and I had been checking in this guy for a year not knowing who he was until a coworker told me about him. Im in shock, the most humble person you would ever meet. A true legend
What a truly great champion and human being. We can all take a small example from his very existence and make a big difference in how we treat each other.
I want Billy to carry the Olympic torch in LA if we are so lucky to still have him around in 2028. How incredible would it be to see him carry it, even light the cauldron if possible. They should also play the end of the race after he receives the torch and his name is announced. The whole world should see his incredible accomplishment.
Native and USMC pride! Billy Mills is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. For years, he has dedicated his life to helping Native people through his Running Strong program. An Olympic champion and a remarkable person.
You should be proud of your grandpa. I saw it live with my family. I went in the room and cried. I just watched it again and I cried. Billy Mills. A legend.
Billy Mills had such an incredible kick at the end. How can someone literally sprint at the end of a 10000 meters race and keep bouncing around afterwards! Incredible!
This is the most underrated performance in the history of Olympic sports. When I first saw the movie Running Brave I assumed the finish was exaggerated for Hollywood but it is not. The closing sprint is as inspirational as any finish I've ever seen.
+cyoungrun1 ask any sports fan under 30 if they've heard of the miracle on ice, I bet 50% say yes, I bet about 5% know Billy Mills' story. both are top tier, that's all I'm saying. I'll bet more under 30 know Prefontaine 's name, that's unfortunate.
Sandy 2319, I agree with you whole heartedly. After running such a distance and moving along at such velocity with arms pumping. A 'light touch' from an elbow doesn't look as devastating as it is. I once had all my air knocked out of me with a light tussle like that, unlike Mills, who I greatly admire, I couldn't recover. In one of the movies ' early scenes his coach is shown showing Mills how to take runners like that. It is an effective tactic, though I never did it
The real race finish was better than the movie. He was running in borrowed shoes. He got pushed, but he poured it on. I get chills every time I watch this finish. Great Race, Great Runner, Great Inspiration.
@Sandy 2319 The most brutal thing about a shove is that it severely disrupts the rhythm of a runner, especially at the end when the rhythm is often the only thing keeping the runner going.
You should be proud of your grandpa, he never quit trying! What an inspiration to you and ALL Americans. Are you a runner? Do you have a dream? My very best to you and your family.....
I am Italian and in my youth I ran several times 10000 m distance,my best was 32' 45''.Let me say all my admiration for athlets like Mills,Zatopek,Mimoun and all the other long distances runners.They make incredible efforts for training along years and years for almost no money .I read the incredible Mills' story,his Lakota origins,his beloved wife.He took apart the 1964 Olympic games practically without money.What a man!Sorry for my simple English.
I've done weightlighting and long distance traning and I've always felt like long distance running is the hardest. It goes on so long and really pushes both your mental and physical abilities to their limits.
I'm a Mexican I run and walk thousands of kilometers for many years just to survive: school/work. Greetings to the Italian people. I like hamburger pizza. Postdata: With the help of internet I knew a native Mexican Indians called taraumaras located North of the country, this fellows can run for days. And I think I have that blood , like to run and walk.
I love the physicality of the final lap. Hard to believe those guys knocking shoulders like that and then careening through all the traffic of the lapped runners. And then Mills does what he does. Such a legend.
Without the jostling I think Gammoudi would probably have won, but he saw Clarke and Mills get into each other and thought he had a golden opportunity. He went too early and underestimated Billy's kick, which was a grave error
I met billy mills today at a pow wow in my hometown and i have to say he is the most charismatic, personable and giving person i have met in a very long time, Very down to earth and kind...great person!
I love how he asks that man, “first?”. I read somewhere that after he finished, he worried for a second that he had one more lap to go, and didn’t really win the event. Billy Mills is such a hero for all, but especially for natives everywhere.
Billy Mills is an inspiration to anyone who hears him speak, he is humble and down to earth. In 2007 he came to the NY State Cross Country Championships and spoke to the athletes. I had the privilege to go with my brother and good friend to the airport and pick him up. As a member of the Mohawk Tribe I grew up the only Native in my school and Billy Mills was one of my heroes so this was a great treat for me - to be in the car for an hour with a legend. I was hoping to get some kind of secret training advice from him that I could use for the runners I coach. When i asked him about coaching he said he only coached 2 people - his daughter and a young runner who ran for Notre Dame - Nicholas Sparks! Then he gave me advice about watching what I eat when i get older and we talked about golf! Time flew as we were talking - a time I will never forget.
+Kent Fetter I also had the honor of speaking with the man and still to this day I remember Mr Mills are being honest, calm, peaceful and most of all friendly with who ever he spoke to, this was truly an honor in my small world life. My dad was so surprised and he spoke how amazed he was when he watched on T.V. the first American ever to win the 10,000 meter and the last American to do so and how proud this made him feel that a Native American won.
BIlly Mills,Native American, said in an interview I heard on the radio show "On Being" that he saw an eagle on one of his competitors shirt as he neared the end of the race. He thought of his father who had passed away and took inspiration from that to win. After the race he went to look for the racer with the eagle emblem and the eagle was not there on the shirt.
It should be. But check the video again, in lats 100m - he talked he saw the German eagle, but the german has tricolor on T-shirt and thats one which he checked then. But there was another runner with eagle on T-shirt - Poland. So this could be the explanation - he only changed the colors (runners) in his mind, but the eagle was there. Or it could be an association with german tricolor in his mind as you mentioned as halucination ;)
I was a chubby kid who decided to give cross country a try in high school. Then I watched this race on television and was moved by Mills' run. After high school, on my own, I just became devoted to long distance running, not so much to compete but to enjoy the rhythm of it, especially at dawn. Mills was an inspiration, for sure, along with Dave Wottle, Jim Ryun, Frank Shorter, Joan Benoit, and others.
I've always believed that the greatest Olympic champions are the ones whom we don't expect. Billy, to me, is one of those. He arrived under the radar and ended up shocking the world, all the while staying true to himself A true inspiration that should be told about to any future Olympians.
+Clinton Gilham Of course it was. Billy ran his best 10K by far that day and Clarke held numerous world records. Billy did however, set a world record in the 6 mile run in 65. However, this was definitely an upset.
+Colleen Ross I must share this clip to my facebook page, along with your comment, as I agree 100% - the Native American is grossly overlooked in our society...and that must STOP! We are a diverse nation, and all people must have their place in the sun....especially those who arrived on the continent first.
Billy Mills came and spoke at Manchester College, now Manchester University, in Indiana) while I was a student there in the early 90's. He came and ran a practice with our cross country team while he was there. Very very nice guy. A true champion!
What makes this even more insane is that it was against Ron Clarke, who broke the 5,000 and 10,000 meter records several times in his prime. All-time Underdog performance. Billy Mills carried the confidence from this performance into several more races where he broke seven different U.S. records and tied for the World record in the 6 mile with Gerry Lindgren. I believe I saw a recent interview where he said he wished he didn't retire as early as he did. I believe he could have been a contender in '68 Olympics.
This was a great moment for so many reasons, it was a huge upset, he came out of nowhere to do it and it was a proud moment for Native Americans and redemption for Jim Thorpe having his medals taken away.
Billy Mills visited my high school during this last track season in April. He is a great man and his story is an amazing inspiration. I still can't believe I was able to shake hands and have a conversation with an Olympic Champion!
This is a powerful video--the drama, the crowd, the stadium lights coming on, umbrellas to block the drizzle, images of sprawling Tokyo, and the great close-ups of the runners as they change position. I remember the announcer's voice from when I was eight years old: "Billy Mills! Billy Mills!" It's a great example of a peak performance. He beats the world record holder, and he chops fifty seconds off his personal best, setting an Olympic record.
This video reminds me so much of what my dad always tells me. Life is unfair. When you get treated unfairly, it's always best to move on because it's something that's out of your control. Just focus on what you have to do and get it done. Nobody cares how hard you try, just keep going until you're successful.
what a spectacular run by a native son, I never knew his background! His people should be proud he didn't turn his back on them, a true hero to the cause, this is what we need those in the public eye to shine the light on the plight of our people. Salute to you Chief Billy Mills, a leader in the eye of the storm.
Perhaps the most amazing thing about this was that his winning time of 28:24.4 was almost 50 seconds faster than he had run before. It set a new Olympic record for the event. Astonishing, if you know anything about athletics at that level.
The movie 'Running Brave' captured this moment in dramatic fashion and what an ending it was. You want to cry. I recommend people to watch it and learn about Bill Mills' life and his challenges.
I was thinking the same thing. Amazingly, the "Kick" Mill's character showed in the movie is accurate to real life as seen in this clip, LOL. Heck, Benson sort of even looks like Mills, sort of. It's a good movie.
I had the pleasure of meeting Billy Mills at the Marine Corps Marathon about 10 years ago. He was kind enough to let me take a photo with him. OORAH Billie.
Billy Mills "who no one expects to win this race'.... well dayum...anytime I need some inspiration I turn to Billy Mills..I always always get the goose bumps....WTG BILLY MILLS
We will have Billy Mills at our all nations run this weekend. It will be our first annual fun run. We are a Native American tribe here in CA and I am proud to have such leaders like Billy Mills representing us. He does so much for the Native community. He Made history. If you haven't seen the Doc on him you should watch it. It will touch your heart.
I tell a lot of people that want to be inspired to watch this and other videos of Billy Mills. He shows courage and determination. Good character traits that we should all strive to live in our lives. Thank you Billy Mills!.
I’m at a cross country camp right now and billy mills came to speak to us and stayed for a couple days.. the camp is 3 days long and billy now like 72 yrs old idk spoke to ya yesterday and today about being humble and what to fight for and goals to achieve.. he told us about things that were wrong with his body and things his father told him when he was younger.. Mr mills really wasn’t expected to be this great or win something this crazy.. it’s pretty cool to be able to see and talk to him now.. his voice is deep but very very quiet.. u can tell he has good knowledge and wisdom
The history of the Olympics is full of stories of people who weren't expected to win but rose to the occasion, Mills is one of them - a beautiful thing.
This was one of the greatest wins in Olympic history. Billy Mills also known as Tamakoce Te'Hila, is an Oglala Lakota, made history that will be spoken about whenever great Olympic moments are talked about.
There’s that term in running “find another gear”. Well this my friends is the definition of finding another gear. Billy pours it on and destroys the others (even after his college coach told him “he has no kick”). How fitting that the first American winner of this event ever was a true native of this land. Simply one of the best stories in history.
@@serapiogarza6968 Indeed, though when I first read the comment from Sidward, my mind saw "long jump" instead of what was written. I had to go look again when I read your correction. Bob Beamon had a perfect moment in time, supremely well executed height in his arc to the pit after a very fast sprint to the board. But this race and superb effort from Billy Mills is a top flight World Class performance that has not been repeated by anyone from the USA. We have only two other Medals, both Silver, from Galen Rupp (2012) and Lewis Tewanima (1912). Incredible race by Mr. Mills at these Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964.
For an update on Billy….I met him today. He is a Member at the credit union where I work in CA. Incredible guy, with an incredible story. It was truly an honor.
Me too. I was a teary mess when I met my hero, but he and his wife are truly the most gracious people I have ever met. My time with them and my photo with him are treasures.
I love that Billy Mills beat the runner number 615 that elbowed his way through Billy and another runner. Billy got number 615 back at the finish line!!!
I’ve watched various clips of that race multiple times. One of the greatest ever. With 200 meters to go I still keep thinking there’s no way he can win. I still get chills.
He absolutely won because of the way the other runners treated him while passing. I ran track and one of the biggest motivators there is..is to be disregarded as a real threat. It will make you find something in yourself that you never knew existed!! Side note He was American Indian!!
Why no one even talks about Gammoudi in the comment section, the guy was practically unknown back then despite winning the meiterranean games in Naples before participating in the Olympics. The guy wasn't trained since childhood or anything he was discovered in an army competition when he was doing his military service in the for not long time independant Tunisia. The prize was around 400 cigarettes. This guy is a legend completely forgotten about. He scored Gold and Bronze in 1968 in Mexico and silver in Munich 1972. He once stated that they struggled to find the tunisian flag for him after he got 2nd place in Tokyo, because no one expted him getting anywhere close to what he achieved
I try to watch this as often as possible - I saved a copy but deleted it in error - so here I am recapturing one of the greatest moments in sports history. Billy Mills a Native American was the best of the best in the world that day. Today he is still a Champions Champion giving back in a lifelong effort to promote health, especially to Native Americans around the country.
I've watched this clip 20 times and it still gets me. Billy grew up not too far from where I grew up in South Dakota. He just spoke at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology commencement today and my son heard him. It reminded me to come back and watch this clip again.
Billy Mills once spoke at my college. He said after about 3 laps, he was so tired he wanted to quit. His plan was to race to the head of the pack, take the lead, then drop out so he could at least say that he led an Olympic race for one lap. But after that lap, he still felt okay and decided to stick around and lead for another lap, then another and another... and all the way to a gold medal! Incredible
This was the race where Ranatunge Karunananda of Sri Lanka ran 4 laps alone to finish the race as the last. History has it that he was jeered at initially when he continued to finish the race alone, even after all others have either finished or given up. But Karunananda persisted and continued to finish all the laps eventually to receive a standing ovation from the same spectators for his sheer determination to finish the race. This is one of the rare magical moments of Sri Lankan Olympic history. :) "The Olympic spirit is not to win, but to take part. So I came here. I took part in the 10,000 metres and completed my rounds." - Ranatunge Karunananda
Ron Clarke set 17 world records. He deserves to be remembered as one of the greatest runners of the 20th century. But Billy Mills was better on the day that mattered.
@Paul Kryder It happens. Look at Bill Rogers. All those Boston and NYC marathon wins but he could only manage 40th place in the Montreal games 1976. Doesn’t take away from glory of his marathon wins outside of the Olympics.
Can you believe NBC fired the announcer for being too enthusiastic? >>> His call was one of the most memorable in Summer Olympic history. His reward was a pink slip. Dick Bank was NBC's track analyst for the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, and his call of Billy Mills' victory in the 10,000 meters ---- a race I deemed the best Summer Olympics moment ---- added to the drama. Working with lead announcer Bud Palmer, Bank saw Mills charging hard down the stretch on the outside, recognized the American runner and starting yelling "Look at Mills! Look at Mills!" Banks' call only added to the drama of the race. But NBC's Dick Auerbach disagreed. A day after the race, Bank was called to Auerbach's Toyko hotel and fired. " But Auerbach said I was very unprofessional, and they were turning off my microphone." "Auerbach never said why he fired me. And NBC refused to pay me for the Olympics. "I had to threaten legal action to get paid. "It's funny. I lost all my tapes, including the Mills call, in a house fire and hadn't seen it for more than 20 years. I don't have a computer or any of that business, but a friend recently called it up on UA-cam for me." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Mills
The problem with calls like that, especially by the side kick, is that it means all other side kick announcers will want their own moment of glory. I know it was exciting, but I think the announcer on this youtube did great. I do empathize with Banks, but I think he was unprofessional and his childish call actually annoys many viewers. Would I have fired him? Maybe I would have. Though I would have paid him, he did show up after all.
I remember this day well. I was jumping up and down and screaming at the replay when my fellow American won. My wife wasn't certain why I was carrying on so until I explained it to her. Billy Mills is still Number One.
That was great, I love when a man fights and use all his strengh and mind control and faith, That was great. Im proud of him, Wherever he is," GOD BLESS YOU.
I ran the Billy Mills 10K in Lawrence KS this morning and I hugged the 80yo Billy Mills at the finish line. Hes a genuine human being.
Wow what an honor 🙏 he came to our middle school when it first opened. Back in the mid 90s
He was a Marine also what a true warrior and legend
😊🌎☀️✨ Beautiful
Awesome
No matter how many times I watch Billy Mills winning the 10K during the Tokyo 1964 Olympics, I become extremely emotional, smile and am almost brought to tears.
I'm crying so hard watching this, so beautiful to see this achievement knowing all that Native Americans have endured and continue to endure. It is our duty as Americans to listen to and uplift the indigenous people.💜
It came from ABOVE!!
I agree we should all listen to each other, but each must lift themselves up.
Mm. Honor to all life. 😊🌎☀️✨
When Billy was passed by others, they bumped and jostled him. When Billy turned on the jets, he went outside letting his opponents have their line. He has been such a good champion, always sharing. He lost his parents at a young age and struggled to keep his bearings but, when he needed him, the spirit of his father was at his side. A true and gracious champion.
I thought the first bump with the Australian wasn't too bad. A little bit of fault for each guy. But then the Tunisian blatantly pushes both guys out of the way. S/have been disqualified.
For real though, I watched that and thought, “how much pushing, shoving, pulling physically is allowed?” I would have guessed none, however this race was rather physical in a very intentional way
Ikr they cheated.
He ran like a crazy horse.. Amazing athlete.. Pride of the Native Americans...
@@francisvazquez13 Pride of all Americans....
One of the very great Olympic moments. Challenges were nothing new to Billy. He faced them all of his life. A proud native American, marine, and Olympic champion. The very best representative of America I say.
Agreed. Billy Mills was all that.
I work at the front desk at a gym in Sacramento, and I had been checking in this guy for a year not knowing who he was until a coworker told me about him. Im in shock, the most humble person you would ever meet. A true legend
How cool he lives in sac town?
Wait, he lives in Sacramento???😳
He has a star in the Sacramento walk of Fame. 17th and L.
I’m glad to see young people show respect like you are doing here. I’m sure it means something to Mr. Mills as well. Thank you.
What a truly great champion and human being. We can all take a small example from his very existence and make a big difference in how we treat each other.
I want Billy to carry the Olympic torch in LA if we are so lucky to still have him around in 2028. How incredible would it be to see him carry it, even light the cauldron if possible. They should also play the end of the race after he receives the torch and his name is announced. The whole world should see his incredible accomplishment.
Yes!
That would be incredible. I'd love to see it.
That's a great suggestion. I'm all for it.
It wpuol be amazing honring a great athlete.
Native and USMC pride! Billy Mills is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. For years, he has dedicated his life to helping Native people through his Running Strong program. An Olympic champion and a remarkable person.
He's got the heart of a champion two different ways then. 😊
He would NOT be denied the gold medal. Couldn't happen to a better human.
UNCLE BILLY...YOU ARE A GREAT MAN!!!!! sending LOVE from Cheyenne Creek on the Pine Ridge Reservation....LOVE YOU UNCLE...GAB SAYS HAU...
You should be proud of your grandpa. I saw it live with my family. I went in the room and cried. I just watched it again and I cried. Billy Mills. A legend.
Billy Mills had such an incredible kick at the end. How can someone literally sprint at the end of a 10000 meters race and keep bouncing around afterwards! Incredible!
It was an awesome effort by Mills, because had been running alternate fast laps to break everyone, and he couldn't break Mills and Gammoudi.
what is more amazing is he said he came through the 5K within two seconds of his PR for that distance and thought about quitting
The human version of Secretariat!
Yeah, shows how da-gone lazy they all were during the race to be so full of energy at the end, bums!
He and Wottle were the Best!
No matter how many times I watch this race, and Ive watched it almost 100 times, it still gives thrills to see Billy Mills !!!
Billy Mills is one of the greatest Olympic stories ever. What a brilliant runner.
The fact that he was also Native American means there is nobody better to represent the USA
It's a real shame that his story doesn't get more attention. It's definitely one of my favorite stories of any athlete.
Well, they made a movie of him. I saw it on the big screen many years ago and loved it.
Francisco J Meza Yup, called running brave.
This is the most underrated performance in the history of Olympic sports. When I first saw the movie Running Brave I assumed the finish was exaggerated for Hollywood but it is not. The closing sprint is as inspirational as any finish I've ever seen.
+cyoungrun1 ask any sports fan under 30 if they've heard of the miracle on ice, I bet 50% say yes, I bet about 5% know Billy Mills' story. both are top tier, that's all I'm saying. I'll bet more under 30 know Prefontaine 's name, that's unfortunate.
Sandy 2319, I agree with you whole heartedly. After running such a distance and moving along at such velocity with arms pumping. A 'light touch' from an elbow doesn't look as devastating as it is. I once had all my air knocked out of me with a light tussle like that, unlike Mills, who I greatly admire, I couldn't recover. In one of the movies ' early scenes his coach is shown showing Mills how to take runners like that. It is an effective tactic, though I never did it
The movie over exaggerated the push by Gammoudi and Clark. But not the finish.
The real race finish was better than the movie. He was running in borrowed shoes. He got pushed, but he poured it on. I get chills every time I watch this finish. Great Race, Great Runner, Great Inspiration.
@Sandy 2319 The most brutal thing about a shove is that it severely disrupts the rhythm of a runner, especially at the end when the rhythm is often the only thing keeping the runner going.
Yesh native pride to my grandpa billy mills im only 12 but I'm proud of this
His my granddad's brother in laws best friend
Meh he's my son and I'm 4
I’m sure you’re very proud... what a fantastic story 😀
You should be proud of your grandpa, he never quit trying! What an inspiration to you and ALL Americans. Are you a runner? Do you have a dream? My very best to you and your family.....
You should be very proud of your grandpa!! He is a Hero to all Native People!! ❤
I am Italian and in my youth I ran several times 10000 m distance,my best was 32' 45''.Let me say all my admiration for athlets like Mills,Zatopek,Mimoun and all the other long distances runners.They make incredible efforts for training along years and years for almost no money .I read the incredible Mills' story,his Lakota origins,his beloved wife.He took apart the 1964 Olympic games practically without money.What a man!Sorry for my simple English.
Gianni B. Your English is great ! No apologies necessary.
Your English is bellisimo! Yes, they are ALL GREAT! You forgot Ron Clarke, though!😘🍷
I've done weightlighting and long distance traning and I've always felt like long distance running is the hardest. It goes on so long and really pushes both your mental and physical abilities to their limits.
thank you
I'm a Mexican
I run and walk thousands of kilometers for many years just to survive: school/work.
Greetings to the Italian people.
I like hamburger pizza.
Postdata:
With the help of internet I knew a native Mexican Indians called taraumaras located North of the country, this fellows can run for days. And I think I have that blood , like to run and walk.
I love the physicality of the final lap. Hard to believe those guys knocking shoulders like that and then careening through all the traffic of the lapped runners. And then Mills does what he does. Such a legend.
Wish the movie about him was a little more accurate on the race, but still watch it every few years.
@@Deuces_Brewers It's like that film about Eddie the eagle. He was asked what he thought of it, 'great but only about 15% is accurate'
Without the jostling I think Gammoudi would probably have won, but he saw Clarke and Mills get into each other and thought he had a golden opportunity. He went too early and underestimated Billy's kick, which was a grave error
I met billy mills today at a pow wow in my hometown and i have to say he is the most charismatic, personable and giving person i have met in a very long time, Very down to earth and kind...great person!
I love how he asks that man, “first?”. I read somewhere that after he finished, he worried for a second that he had one more lap to go, and didn’t really win the event. Billy Mills is such a hero for all, but especially for natives everywhere.
This will never get old. A race for the ages.
Billy Mills is an inspiration to anyone who hears him speak, he is humble and down to earth. In 2007 he came to the NY State Cross Country Championships and spoke to the athletes. I had the privilege to go with my brother and good friend to the airport and pick him up. As a member of the Mohawk Tribe I grew up the only Native in my school and Billy Mills was one of my heroes so this was a great treat for me - to be in the car for an hour with a legend. I was hoping to get some kind of secret training advice from him that I could use for the runners I coach. When i asked him about coaching he said he only coached 2 people - his daughter and a young runner who ran for Notre Dame - Nicholas Sparks! Then he gave me advice about watching what I eat when i get older and we talked about golf! Time flew as we were talking - a time I will never forget.
+Kent Fetter How neat!
+Kent Fetter I also had the honor of speaking with the man and still to this day I remember Mr Mills are being honest, calm, peaceful and most of all friendly with who ever he spoke to, this was truly an honor in my small world life. My dad was so surprised and he spoke how amazed he was when he watched on T.V. the first American ever to win the 10,000 meter and the last American to do so and how proud this made him feel that a Native American won.
wow what a cherished memory to have forever,Kent.Thanks a lot for telling me about meeting Billy.i wish you the very best !
Thank you, it was awesome!
He was my substitute teacher at Oakland highschool today... Incredible man...
Kevin Zavala Wow really? That's crazy.
+Kevin Zavala Let us know if it happens again.
wow this is amazing!
BIlly Mills,Native American, said in an interview I heard on the radio show "On Being" that he saw an eagle on one of his competitors shirt as he neared the end of the race. He thought of his father who had passed away and took inspiration from that to win. After the race he went to look for the racer with the eagle emblem and the eagle was not there on the shirt.
Wow thanks for sharing
it was meant to be and so it was...I bet he then knew the great one had given him a sign
an exhaust runner has some degree of alucinnation
It should be. But check the video again, in lats 100m - he talked he saw the German eagle, but the german has tricolor on T-shirt and thats one which he checked then. But there was another runner with eagle on T-shirt - Poland. So this could be the explanation - he only changed the colors (runners) in his mind, but the eagle was there.
Or it could be an association with german tricolor in his mind as you mentioned as halucination ;)
That was a vision and sign from his father to be strong and never give up. He was rewarded with the gold medal🇺🇸
Watching this race gets me through my worst days. Just keep pushing forward.
Totally.
I was a chubby kid who decided to give cross country a try in high school. Then I watched this race on television and was moved by Mills' run. After high school, on my own, I just became devoted to long distance running, not so much to compete but to enjoy the rhythm of it, especially at dawn. Mills was an inspiration, for sure, along with Dave Wottle, Jim Ryun, Frank Shorter, Joan Benoit, and others.
I've always believed that the greatest Olympic champions are the ones whom we don't expect. Billy, to me, is one of those. He arrived under the radar and ended up shocking the world, all the while staying true to himself A true inspiration that should be told about to any future Olympians.
+Colleen Ross Still the greatest upset in Olympic history.
+Clinton Gilham Of course it was. Billy ran his best 10K by far that day and Clarke held numerous world records. Billy did however, set a world record in the 6 mile run in 65. However, this was definitely an upset.
+Mark S
This was a great upset, but I think Rulon Gardner defeating Alexander Karelin is a bigger upset...
+David Forthoffer Yeah, but that was in Greco-Roman wrestling, who gives a flying fig about THAT ??
+Colleen Ross I must share this clip to my facebook page, along with your comment, as I agree 100% - the Native American is grossly overlooked in our society...and that must STOP! We are a diverse nation, and all people must have their place in the sun....especially those who arrived on the continent first.
Billy Mills came and spoke at Manchester College, now Manchester University, in Indiana) while I was a student there in the early 90's. He came and ran a practice with our cross country team while he was there. Very very nice guy. A true champion!
This brings tears to my eyes...Billy Mills you are amazing.
What makes this even more insane is that it was against Ron Clarke, who broke the 5,000 and 10,000 meter records several times in his prime. All-time Underdog performance. Billy Mills carried the confidence from this performance into several more races where he broke seven different U.S. records and tied for the World record in the 6 mile with Gerry Lindgren. I believe I saw a recent interview where he said he wished he didn't retire as early as he did. I believe he could have been a contender in '68 Olympics.
This was a great moment for so many reasons, it was a huge upset, he came out of nowhere to do it and it was a proud moment for Native Americans and redemption for Jim Thorpe having his medals taken away.
God bless both our men!😘
The first and last time an American won gold at that distance. What an amazing story and man.
True but we now Have Grant Fisher who got the bronze now. (2024).
@@kevt3770yes!!!! What a great run!
Billy Mills visited my high school during this last track season in April. He is a great man and his story is an amazing inspiration. I still can't believe I was able to shake hands and have a conversation with an Olympic Champion!
I got to meet and talk to Frank Shorter. Distance runners are the greatest athletes in the world in my opinion.
he came to a couple here in montana, lucky i was there to hear his speech
This is a powerful video--the drama, the crowd, the stadium lights coming on, umbrellas to block the drizzle, images of sprawling Tokyo, and the great close-ups of the runners as they change position. I remember the announcer's voice from when I was eight years old: "Billy Mills! Billy Mills!" It's a great example of a peak performance. He beats the world record holder, and he chops fifty seconds off his personal best, setting an Olympic record.
It is wonderful to catch a sense of Billy Mill's glory 58 years ago. Thanks for uploading this remarkable film.
This video reminds me so much of what my dad always tells me. Life is unfair. When you get treated unfairly, it's always best to move on because it's something that's out of your control. Just focus on what you have to do and get it done. Nobody cares how hard you try, just keep going until you're successful.
I love this video. Watched it dozens of times and Billy wins every time.
what a spectacular run by a native son, I never knew his background! His people should be proud he didn't turn his back on them, a true hero to the cause, this is what we need those in the public eye to shine the light on the plight of our people. Salute to you Chief Billy Mills, a leader in the eye of the storm.
A Hero to my people, A role model while growing up in Pine Ridge, Thank You Mr. Mill's, Pilamaya
He came to my school in 3rd grade in Fort Yates, ND and he's been one of my heroes ever since. Hokahey! :)
Perhaps the most amazing thing about this was that his winning time of 28:24.4 was almost 50 seconds faster than he had run before. It set a new Olympic record for the event. Astonishing, if you know anything about athletics at that level.
The movie 'Running Brave' captured this moment in dramatic fashion and what an ending it was. You want to cry. I recommend people to watch it and learn about Bill Mills' life and his challenges.
I was thinking the same thing. Amazingly, the "Kick" Mill's character showed in the movie is accurate to real life as seen in this clip, LOL. Heck, Benson sort of even looks like Mills, sort of. It's a good movie.
@@interestedparty7523 to this present day both Billy Mills and Robbie Benson are dear steadfast friends/family!
I had the pleasure of meeting Billy Mills at the Marine Corps Marathon about 10 years ago. He was kind enough to let me take a photo with him. OORAH Billie.
I remember it like it was yesterday......and I still Cry with Joy.
Billy Mills "who no one expects to win this race'.... well dayum...anytime I need some inspiration I turn to Billy Mills..I always always get the goose bumps....WTG BILLY MILLS
We will have Billy Mills at our all nations run this weekend. It will be our first annual fun run. We are a Native American tribe here in CA and I am proud to have such leaders like Billy Mills representing us. He does so much for the Native community. He Made history. If you haven't seen the Doc on him you should watch it. It will touch your heart.
To watch Mills make that incredible kick around the last curve and through the finish, it is stunning. What a runner!
I will never tire of watching this! So inspirational!! ❤
I get chills every time I watch it. It is truly inspirational. I wish they would remake the movie.
Even as a sprinter this was one of my all time favorite races to watch. Great race Billy!
I tell a lot of people that want to be inspired to watch this and other videos of Billy Mills. He shows courage and determination. Good character traits that we should all strive to live in our lives. Thank you Billy Mills!.
I love watching this over and over because I know the inner and outer strength it takes to do something like that what an inspiration.
I’m at a cross country camp right now and billy mills came to speak to us and stayed for a couple days.. the camp is 3 days long and billy now like 72 yrs old idk spoke to ya yesterday and today about being humble and what to fight for and goals to achieve.. he told us about things that were wrong with his body and things his father told him when he was younger.. Mr mills really wasn’t expected to be this great or win something this crazy.. it’s pretty cool to be able to see and talk to him now.. his voice is deep but very very quiet.. u can tell he has good knowledge and wisdom
How can that not put a smile on your face. What a finish!
WOW.... 😮😮😮 Just Amazing.. 😮😮😮 Can't believe I've never heard of Billy Mills until now... 😮😮😮
That lucky crowd to have witnessed this fantastic piece of track history
The history of the Olympics is full of stories of people who weren't expected to win but rose to the occasion, Mills is one of them - a beautiful thing.
My father competed at 64 Oly in Wrestling. Was there, said it was in CRED ible!
Thank you for posting these historic moments.
This was one of the greatest wins in Olympic history. Billy Mills also known as Tamakoce Te'Hila, is an Oglala Lakota, made history that will be spoken about whenever great Olympic moments are talked about.
There’s that term in running “find another gear”. Well this my friends is the definition of finding another gear. Billy pours it on and destroys the others (even after his college coach told him “he has no kick”). How fitting that the first American winner of this event ever was a true native of this land. Simply one of the best stories in history.
Beat his personal best by FORTY-SEVEN (FREAKING) SECONDS!!!!!!! Greatest single performance in Olympic history without a doubt.
very big leap indeed
I would rate Bob Beamon's high jump in 1968 as slightly above this. Broke the WR by nearly 2 feet
@@ccx806
You mean Bob Beamon's 1968 Long Jump record.
@@serapiogarza6968 Indeed, though when I first read the comment from Sidward, my mind saw "long jump" instead of what was written. I had to go look again when I read your correction. Bob Beamon had a perfect moment in time, supremely well executed height in his arc to the pit after a very fast sprint to the board. But this race and superb effort from Billy Mills is a top flight World Class performance that has not been repeated by anyone from the USA. We have only two other Medals, both Silver, from Galen Rupp (2012) and Lewis Tewanima (1912). Incredible race by Mr. Mills at these Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964.
Lose the "freaking" The best performance is by Michael Phelps.
still remember this - one of the most memorable races in Olympic history; no one gave him a chance beforehand
I was just a little kid when this event happened over 50 years ago, but watching it just now in 2020 I still got a chill.
Just shared his story with my grandson. Dreams and hard work do come true thank you Mr Mills
For an update on Billy….I met him today. He is a Member at the credit union where I work in CA. Incredible guy, with an incredible story. It was truly an honor.
Greatest native American Olympian since Jim Thorpe. I can't recall anyone else doing something this remarkable since Billy Mills in 1964.
Thank you Mr. Billy Mills, seeing that today for the 1st time , it was awesome performance.
This has to be the fifth time I've watched this performance in two days. Billy Mills, man...Wow! =D
One of the greatest Olympic victories of all time!
Me too. I was a teary mess when I met my hero, but he and his wife are truly the most gracious people I have ever met. My time with them and my photo with him are treasures.
Pure heart and guts. Run like the wind Billy.
I love that Billy Mills beat the runner number 615 that elbowed his way through Billy and another runner. Billy got number 615 back at the finish line!!!
Great achievement by Billy Mills, probably my favorite Olympic moment.
I’ve watched various clips of that race multiple times. One of the greatest ever. With 200 meters to go I still keep thinking there’s no way he can win. I still get chills.
He absolutely won because of the way the other runners treated him while passing. I ran track and one of the biggest motivators there is..is to be disregarded as a real threat. It will make you find something in yourself that you never knew existed!! Side note He was American Indian!!
Lakota...
He even had to borrow his shoes. Ot supplied as given no chance. Think he was Lakota ie sioux
Isn't it the best feeling in the world to see the greatest moment someone ever had in their entire life?
Yes. I feel that way.
Still brings a tear to my eye!
Billy mills! A true Lakota warrior.
Awesome race!
Awesome human being!
Why no one even talks about Gammoudi in the comment section, the guy was practically unknown back then despite winning the meiterranean games in Naples before participating in the Olympics. The guy wasn't trained since childhood or anything he was discovered in an army competition when he was doing his military service in the for not long time independant Tunisia. The prize was around 400 cigarettes. This guy is a legend completely forgotten about. He scored Gold and Bronze in 1968 in Mexico and silver in Munich 1972. He once stated that they struggled to find the tunisian flag for him after he got 2nd place in Tokyo, because no one expted him getting anywhere close to what he achieved
That was incredible! It had me jump up out of my seat! Beautiful win! (I ran track in high school so I get a little emotional watching it!)
I love watching this race. So pleased for Billy Mills and his family.
I try to watch this as often as possible - I saved a copy but deleted it in error - so here I am recapturing one of the greatest moments in sports history. Billy Mills a Native American was the best of the best in the world that day. Today he is still a Champions Champion giving back in a lifelong effort to promote health, especially to Native Americans around the country.
He ran a 10.38 in the last 100m. Incredible.
That is amazing, wow!👍
I've watched this clip 20 times and it still gets me. Billy grew up not too far from where I grew up in South Dakota. He just spoke at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology commencement today and my son heard him. It reminded me to come back and watch this clip again.
Billy Mills gave an inspiring speech at my high school. I still remember his lessons on overcoming obstacles and achieving your dreams & goals!
God bless Billy Mills! What a tremendous effort
As an aspiring junior collegiate long distance runner I watched "Running Brave" before every big race. What an inspiration!
Best individual upset performance in Olympic history.
He was running in shoes that were the wrong size.....
I never get tired of watching this. It brings a huge smile to my face every time.
What a truly inspiring total effort as the leaders approached the final meters! Mr. Mills certainly earned the gold medal.
Billy Mills once spoke at my college. He said after about 3 laps, he was so tired he wanted to quit. His plan was to race to the head of the pack, take the lead, then drop out so he could at least say that he led an Olympic race for one lap. But after that lap, he still felt okay and decided to stick around and lead for another lap, then another and another... and all the way to a gold medal! Incredible
This was the race where Ranatunge Karunananda of Sri Lanka ran 4 laps alone to finish the race as the last. History has it that he was jeered at initially when he continued to finish the race alone, even after all others have either finished or given up. But Karunananda persisted and continued to finish all the laps eventually to receive a standing ovation from the same spectators for his sheer determination to finish the race. This is one of the rare magical moments of Sri Lankan Olympic history. :)
"The Olympic spirit is not to win, but to take part. So I came here. I took part in the 10,000 metres and completed my rounds." -
Ranatunge Karunananda
Beautiful 🏃🏾
love his story !!! lakota native !!!
Beautiful film quality, and a thrilling finish!
I never tire of rewatching Mills incredible performance.
Ron Clarke set 17 world records. He deserves to be remembered as one of the greatest runners of the 20th century. But Billy Mills was better on the day that mattered.
@Paul Kryder Exactly. Consider this his "one that got away".
Ron Clarke is remembered as a great runner, but this isnt about Clarke its about Billy Mills. So what are you trying to say.
ClarkE dissed Mills by pushing him out of the way in the final lap, the running Gods dissed Clarke by giving Mills a miracle kick at the finish.
@Paul Kryder It happens. Look at Bill Rogers. All those Boston and NYC marathon wins but he could only manage 40th place in the Montreal games 1976. Doesn’t take away from glory of his marathon wins outside of the Olympics.
Cannot watch this without getting emotional. Such an amazing story.
Can you believe NBC fired the announcer for being too enthusiastic?
>>>
His call was one of the most memorable in Summer Olympic history.
His reward was a pink slip.
Dick Bank was NBC's track analyst for the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, and his call of Billy Mills' victory in the 10,000 meters ---- a race I deemed the best Summer Olympics moment ---- added to the drama.
Working with lead announcer Bud Palmer, Bank saw Mills charging hard down the stretch on the outside, recognized the American runner and starting yelling "Look at Mills! Look at Mills!"
Banks' call only added to the drama of the race.
But NBC's Dick Auerbach disagreed.
A day after the race, Bank was called to Auerbach's Toyko hotel and fired. "
But Auerbach said I was very unprofessional, and they were turning off my microphone."
"Auerbach never said why he fired me. And NBC refused to pay me for the Olympics.
"I had to threaten legal action to get paid.
"It's funny. I lost all my tapes, including the Mills call, in a house fire and hadn't seen it for more than 20 years. I don't have a computer or any of that business, but a friend recently called it up on UA-cam for me."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Mills
Thanks for sharing that. What a bizarre story. SMH.
The problem with calls like that, especially by the side kick, is that it means all other side kick announcers will want their own moment of glory. I know it was exciting, but I think the announcer on this youtube did great. I do empathize with Banks, but I think he was unprofessional and his childish call actually annoys many viewers. Would I have fired him? Maybe I would have. Though I would have paid him, he did show up after all.
He really was fired???
what's the purpose of the sidekick, just back up the idiotic leader?
it wasnt this announcer, it was another one that screamed "look at mills, look at mills, look at mills..!"
I loved both arms up, crossing the finish line in first place. There's a "straighr-on" photo as he's at the finish line - iconic.
I come here after I listened to Billy Mills interview on NPR! So proud of him!
I remember this day well. I was jumping up and down and screaming at the replay when my fellow American won. My wife wasn't certain why I was carrying on so until I explained it to her. Billy Mills is still Number One.
That was great, I love when a man fights and use all his strengh and mind control and faith, That was great. Im proud of him, Wherever he is," GOD BLESS YOU.