Incredible Moment As Underdog Billy Mills Wins 10,000m Gold - Tokyo 1964 Olympics

Watch highlights of one of the most incredible stories in Olympic history as the USA's Billy Mills wins the 10,000m gold as a complete unknown underdog at the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games.

The story of the 10,000m at the Tokyo 1964 Games is the story of one of the greatest upsets ever seen at the Olympics. The race had been predicted to be a three-way battle between Murray Halbert, the defending 5000m champion, the defending 10,000m champion Pyotr Bolotnikov, and the world record holder Ron Clarke. It did not go according to plan.

By the halfway mark, though, only Clarke was anywhere near the front, accompanied by Tunisian Mohamed Gammoudi and the American Billy Mills.

Mills was so unheralded that, in the run-up to the Games, not one reporter had asked him a single question. They should have done, for his story was memorable.

He had been born in South Dakota as a member of a Native American family, and was raised on a reservation reserved for the Oglala Sioux people. He had 11 brothers and sisters, but was orphaned at the age of 12, and so was raised by his grandmother.

He took up boxing and used to run as a way of staying fit, but discovered he was a better runner than boxer, and so won a place at the University of Kansas on an athletic scholarship.
He excelled at cross-country while at university but, by the time of the Olympic Games, he had left Kansas to join the US Marine Corps. It was while serving in the armed forces that he qualified for the Games.

His qualifying time was not notable, but he had spent years planning for the final and had belief that, on the day, he would match the standard of those around him.

The race was more about endurance, tactics and even fortune than out-and-out pace. The last lap was a confusing affair, with slower runners being lapped as Clarke, Gammoudi and Mills charged along, elbowing and shoving each other as they jockeyed for position. Clarke led, then Gammoudi and then, to the astonishment of both the frontrunners, Mills sprinted past to win by almost three metres, beating his own personal best time by 47 seconds.

"I'm flabbergasted," said Mills in victory. Famously, a Japanese reporter asked simply "who are you?"

Victory changed his life. He was acclaimed by his tribe as a warrior and given the name Makoce Teh'la, which translates as "loves his country". He has devoted much of his life to working with Native American communities and remains the first and, so far, only American to win Olympic 10,000m gold.

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[notquitesureofanything]

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.

[soundking]

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.

[tammiegrewe]

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.

[woodybrewer]

UNCLE BILLY...YOU ARE A GREAT sending LOVE from Cheyenne Creek on the Pine Ridge Reservation....LOVE YOU UNCLE...GAB SAYS HAU...

[WanderlustLife]

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.

[nice]

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

[cutiegaming]

Yesh native pride to my grandpa billy mills im only 12 but I'm proud of this

[Chaco]

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.

[eluceanlestelle]

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.

[guittadabe]

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!

[shimmeringfairydust]

Billy Mills is one of the greatest Olympic stories ever. What a brilliant runner.

[gwarren]

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.

[ismahanm]

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.💜

[paulg]

No matter how many times I watch this race, and Ive watched it almost 100 times, it still gives thrills to see Billy Mills !!!

[kylejones]

The first and last time an American won gold at that distance. What an amazing story and man.

[kevorobo]

He was my substitute teacher at Oakland highschool today... Incredible man...

[Kevinsnakes]

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.

[Chandakaye]

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!

[michaelpoe]

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.

[brianharder]

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.