Jim Thorpe was an American Indian, born on May 28, 1888 in Oklahoma.When he had his education at the Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania,(1) ________________________________________. From then on, Thorpe participated in almost every aspect of athletics. Whenever he competed in any event, he easily won first place.
In the years that followed, he took part in football games against such renowned teams as Harvard and West Point. Thorpe again and again brought his team to victory. In 1912 he was invited to compete in the Olympic Games in Stockholm. (2) ____________________________________________________. He was the first athlete to capture first place awards in so many track events.
When Thorpe returned home from the Olympic Games,he was welcomed with parades and celebration. The president called him the highest type of citizen.However, this was all short-lived because it was found out that at one time Thorpe had been a professional athlete. Since an athlete must be an amateur in order to participate in the Olympic Games, Thorpe did not qualify. Therefore, all of his medals were taken away from him.
In later years, Thorpe played baseball and football professionally. (3) _____________________________________________. Thorpe died a lonely man in California on May 28, 1953.Today, as always, many still believe Thorpe was the best athlete that ever lived.
