January 1 Birthdays

1921
Alain Mimoun, Algerian-born French long-distance runner. Mimoun was a four-time International Cross Country champion, but in many of his Olympic races he ran in the shadow of the great Emil Zátopek. In the 1948 (London) Olympic 10,000 meter race, Mimoun finished second to Zátopek. Mimoun won silver medals in the 1952 (Helsinki) Olympic 5,000 and 10,000-meter races, both of which were won by Zátopek. In the 1956 (Melbourne) Olympic 10,000 meters, Mimoun finished a disappointing twelfth and decided to enter the marathon. This time Mimoun won Olympic gold, winning the race in 2:25:00. His long-time rival, Zátopek, finished sixth. Mimoun also competed in a fourth Olympic games, finishing 34th in the 1960 (Rome) Olympic marathon (2:31:20).