Tokyo Olympiad

Synopsis

This impressionistic portrait of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics pays as much attention to the crowds and workers as it does to the actual competitive events. Highlights include an epic pole-vaulting match between West Germany and America, and the final marathon race through Tokyo's streets. Two athletes are highlighted: Ethiopian marathon runner Abebe Bikila, who receives his second gold medal, and runner Ahamed Isa from Chad, representing a country younger than he is.

Cast

Abebe Bikila

Self

Ahmed Issa

Self

Yoshinori Sakai

Self

Joe Frazier

Self

Emperor Hirohito of Japan

Self