Ron Clarke's Heart Stops at the Mexico Olympics
How Australian 10,000 metre runner Ron Clarke collapsed from altitude sickness at the Mexico Olympics in 1968.
At the 1968 Mexico Olympics, the world looked on in horror as the Australian runner, Ron Clarke the race favourite, collapsed at the finishing line of the 10,000 metres. His heart had stopped.
The Australian team doctor, Brian Corrigan, ran to him and managed to get his heart started again.
Clarke had run out of oxygen because of the high altitude in Mexico City.
Sporting Witness speaks to Ron Clarke and Brian Corrigan.
This programme broadcast in December 2011.
Picture: Ron Clarke, in second place, shortly before his collapse. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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Ron Clarke: 'The last lap was just survival - then blackness.'
Duration: 00:47
Broadcasts
- Fri 16 Dec 2011 23:50GMT大象传媒 World Service Online
- Sat 17 Dec 2011 06:50GMT大象传媒 World Service Online
- Sun 18 Dec 2011 22:50GMT大象传媒 World Service Online
- Mon 19 Dec 2011 03:50GMT大象传媒 World Service Online
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