Thorpe Still In Running For Best Olympic Athlete

Lots of world records are being set at the Olympics in Beijing. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps' incredible performance at the games is prompting debate over who is the best Olympic athlete of all time. News On 6 anchor Craig Day went to Yale in Payne County where folks are pretty partial to another amazing athlete.

Now that Michael Phelps captured world attention with eight gold medals, many consider the swimmer to be the top Olympic athlete of all time. Folks in Yale, Oklahoma may argue with you on that one.

"Well.  I'm not the least bit prejudiced, but of course, James Thorpe," said Thorpe's granddaughter Sharon Kossakowski.

Kossakowski has reason to be proud. At the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Jim Thorpe amazed the world, winning the decathlon and pentathlon, the only athlete in history ever to win both grueling track events.

"1912, that was unbelievable to have that kind of talent," said Kossakowski.

A few years after the Olympics, Thorpe and his family settled in Yale.

"This is the home that Jim Thorpe lived in from 1917 to 1923," said Linda Cleveland Frick of the Jim Thorpe Home Museum.

His home is now an Oklahoma Historical Society site, complete with family heirlooms, old photos and displays of Thorpe's athletic feats, both in the Olympics and in professional sports.

"If you want to see anything to do with the greatest Olympian that ever lived, come to 706 East Boston in Yale and I'll show all about it," said Frick.

Although in his day, Jim Thorpe had the worldwide fame that came along with Olympic success, there wasn't the fortune that many current Olympic athletes are getting.

Michael Phelps is expected to make $50 million from his Olympic performance, in endorsements and speaking engagements. In Thorpe's day it was unheard of.

"He wouldn't have any idea about a shoe contract," said Frick.

But he did know how to compete. And although attention now focuses on the Olympic games in Beijing, half a world away in Yale, many believe Thorpe could give modern day athletes a run for their money when it comes to being the greatest of all time.