STOCKHOLM It has been described as the first major international sports scandal, and still resonates more than a century later.
It hurt him deeply, Kate Buford, author of 2010 book Native American Son: The Life and Sporting Legend of Jim Thorpe," told The Associated Press.
Earlier this month, a Bright Path Strong petition named after Thorpes Native American name Wa-Tho-Huk, which means Bright Path was circulated in a bid to declare Thorpe the outright winner of the pentathlon and decathlon in 1912.
At the Stockholm Games, Thorpe won the pentathlon after finishing first in four of the five events, including the 1,500 meters by nearly five seconds.
For years, he was said to have replied Thanks, King after receiving that compliment from the King of Sweden.