The John Akii Bua Story: An African Tragedy

78% Match20081h 30m

Documentary

Overview

At the Munich Olympics of 1972, John Akii Bua, from the impoverished African country of Uganda, powered round the inside lane in the 400m hurdles, past the English favourite, and reigning Olympic Champion David Hemery, to win the gold medal, 10m clear of the field. John Akii Bua had become the first African to win gold in an event under 800 metres. He was also the first man to break the 48 seconds barrier in the 400 metre hurdles, an event so gruelling its nickname is 'The Mankiller'. This is the story about that amazing triumph - and what happened next. David Hemery retired to respectable fame and fortune, later becoming president of the UK's athletics federation. John Akii Bua returned to a Uganda carving the name of its military "President", Idi Amin, into genocidal notoriety. This is a film about the pinnacle of athletic achievement - and the search to discover what followed.

Grizzly Tour
The Queen of Basketball
You'll Never Walk Alone
Forza Bastia
Urtain, King of the Mountains
The History of the World Heavyweight Championship
In the Land That Is Like You
A Sunday in Hell
A Free Man
Les yeux dans les Bleus
From Harlem with Love
The White Stadium
The Sharp End
Road
Masters of Stone VI - Breakthrough
Clarkson: Thriller
First Descent
Seven Sunny Days
Vintage World Series Films: New York Mets
Tuna on Tour