Alain Mimoun was a French long-distance runner who competed in track events, cross-country running and the marathon. He was the 1956 Olympic champion in the marathon. He is the most medalled French athletics sportsperson in history. In 1999, readers of the French athletics magazine Athl�tisme voted him as the ?French Athlete of the 20th Century?. On the track Mimoun won three Olympic silver medals, finishing second behind Emil Z�topek in the 10,000 metres final in 1948 and again second behind him in both the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres finals in 1952. He was also the silver medallist in both events behind Z�topek at the 1950 European Athletics Championships. Between 1949 and 1958 he won four individual titles at the International Cross Country Championships as well as placing runner-up twice. He was a four-time gold medallist at the Mediterranean Games, completing the 5,000 m/10,000 m double in both 1951 and 1955. Born in French Algeria, Mimoun fought military battles for France and the Western Allies during World War II . He settled in metropolitan France shortly after leaving the French army. Overall he represented France at the Olympics on four occasions. 

January 1st, 1921 in Telagh  /  Died:   Jun 27th, 2013