Sports Fact and Book Rec of the Day 11/30/2007

11/30/1956:
Alain Mimoux of France wins the Olympic marathon at Melbourne in a time of 2:25.00. Running the first marathon of his career, Mimoux makes his move at the 20-mile mark and is never headed thereafter. Defending champion Emil Zatopek of Czechoslovakia is one of 46 starters but is never a threat, which sweetens the victory for Mimoux. The persistent Frenchman had finished a close second to Zatopek in the 1948 10,000 meters at London and the 1952 5000 and 10,000 meter runs at Helsinki.

Birthdays:
Bill Walsh b. 1931
Paul Westphal b. 1950
Bob Tewksbury b. 1950
Bo Jackson b. 1962
Ray Durham b. 1971

“A heroic and inspiring story that deserves to be told.”—The Washington Post Book World

“This book is a must-read for anyone who wants a renewed sense of patriotism.”—Roanoke Times

It’s an incredible story. One U.S. platoon of 18 men repelled an onslaught of German forces for three days, killing as many as 500 soldiers. They finally surrendered, having run out of ammunition, and became POWs. Many POWs during the war died or were killed. But the 18 survived—all of them. USA Today called it “a riveting read.”

THE LONGEST WINTER: THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE AND THE EPIC STORY OF WORLD WAR II’S MOST DECORATED PLATOON, by Alex Kershaw (Da Capo Press, 2005)