An Unforgettable Marathon Finish - Gabriela Andersen-Schiess | Olympic Rewind

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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[Boudosaved]

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.

[mazenabdelhameed]

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"

[duarte]

This woman is the embodiment of the olympic spirit.

[michaellynn]

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.

[colleenross]

She tried, she ran, and she finished. She's a winner.

[JulienNeel]

She still clocked a 2h48 marathon in Los Angeles summer heat. Incredible.

[marciocoelho]

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.

[mannyacosta]

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!

[voyagersd]

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.

[Sunflowers]

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.

[DeedsResearcher]

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!!!

[mohammadshah]

She actually "won" the Gold medal in her own unique way. That was the historic moment watched by millions all over the world.

[ftsjr]

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.

[thyago]

Some times a victory against your own limits worths more than any gold medal.

[michellemclaren]

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.

[georgemallory]

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.

[arminv]

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

[clarencesabocojan]

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.

[harleyquiinnnn]

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.

[papaquonis]

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.