International Olympic Day: Here are some movies that capture the journey of Olympic medal winners

Every year June 23 is celebrated as International Olympic Day, a day dedicated to sports and fitness. Whether it’s our own The Flying Sikh, Milkha Singh, or any other Olympian, they all inspire the world with their stories. Let’s take a look at the journey of some of the Olympians which has been well portrayed on silver screen

Creating records

Jesse Owens – Race

This 2016 movie is a biographical sports drama film about African-American athlete Jesse Owens, who won a record-breaking four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. Directed by Stephen Hopkins and written by Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse, the film stars Stephan James as Owens. It features Owens’ struggle and the difficulties he faced while growing up as a young Black man in 1930s America.

Queen of the ring

Mary Kom – Mary Kom

Based on the life of Mary Kom, this film was directed by Omung Kumar. It stars Priyanka Chopra in the lead role of the eponymous boxer. The film depicts Kom’s journey of becoming a boxer to her victory at the 2008 World Boxing Championships in Ningbo.

Running into trouble

Louis Zamperini – Unbroken

This movie, which is more like a war film, is based on the life of Louis Zamperini, an American runner who competed in the 1936 Olympics and whose B-24 was later shot down over the Pacific during WWII, leaving him adrift on a life raft for 47 days. Directed by Angelina Jolie and starring Jack O’Connell, the movie cuts back and forth between Zamperini’s track career and his harsh treatment at a Japanese prison camp.

Complex issues

Herb Brooks – Miracle

Directed by Gavin O’Connor, Miracle is the story of US men’s ice hockey team which won a gold medal in the 1980 Winter Olympics. The film highlights the story of the squad’s complex coach, Herb Brooks, played by Kurt Russell. The team’s victory over the heavily favoured Soviet professionals in the medal round was dubbed the “Miracle on Ice”.

Death of a dream

Steve Prefontaine – Without Limits

This film is based on the life and tragic death of Olympic running sensation Steve Prefontaine, essayed by actor Bill Crudup. While running for the Oregon Track Club, Steve set American records at every distance from 2,000 to 10,000 mt, as he prepared for the 1976 Olympics.

Digital delight

Tonya Harding – I, Tonya

Margot Robbie played the lead role of the Olympic figure Tonya Harding in this film. Harding is a two-time Olympian and a two-time Skate America Champion.