Billy Mills

Billy Mills shocked the running world with his come-from-behind win in the 10,000-meter run at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. A virtual unknown going into the Games, Mills' victory is considered one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history and was depicted in the 1983 film, Running Brave. His achievement led him to a life of activism, especially on behalf of Native American issues. Mills co-founded Running Strong for American Indian Youth, for which he was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by...See more

Billy Mills shocked the running world with his come-from-behind win in the 10,000-meter run at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. A virtual unknown going into the Games, Mills' victory is considered one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history and was depicted in the 1983 film, Running Brave. His achievement led him to a life of activism, especially on behalf of Native American issues. Mills co-founded Running Strong for American Indian Youth, for which he was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Barack Obama. A member of the Oglala Sioux tribe and a US Marine, Mills was the first non-European to win the Olympic 10,000m and remains the only winner from the Americas. See less