Billy Mills' 10,000m Upset

About

Billy Mills' victory in the 10,000m at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics is one of the most remarkable upsets in Olympic history. Going into the event, Mills was largely unknown, with no media attention focused on him. Born in South Dakota as a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Mills overcame personal challenges, including being orphaned at age 12 and raised by his grandmother. He pursued athletics, earning a scholarship to the University of Kansas and later joining the U.S. Marine Corps. On October 14, 1964, Mills stunned the world by sprinting past favorites Ron Clarke and Mohammed Gammoudi in the final lap. His winning time of 28:24.4 set a new Olympic record, nearly 50 seconds faster than his previous best. This historic win made Mills the first non-European to claim the title and remains the only American to win Olympic gold in the event. His achievement transformed his life, earning him acclaim and recognition within his community and beyond.