Juan Carlos ZABALA
The Argentine was the favourite long-distance runner when he entered the Los Angeles Olympic marathon in 1932. ZABALA remains the youngest ever winner of the marathon to this day.
J.C. ZABALA (ARG) au Marathon de Košice en 1931 (1931)The Olympic Museum
From the orphanage to glory
Born in Rosario, Argentina in 1911, Juan Carlos ZABALA was nicknamed the "Creole Nandu" (a kind of ostrich) and met with initial success in local competitions. In 1931 ZABALA emerged victorious in the Košice Peace Marathon in Slovakia, which is the oldest marathon in Europe, having been established in 1924.
Los Angeles 1932 OG, Athletics, Marathon - Juan Carlos ZABALA (ARG) 1st, leading the first lap of the track. (1932-08-07) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum
Los Angeles 1932
South American athlete Juan Carlos ZABALA took the lead in the marathon on 7 August 1932. 28 runners from 14 countries participated in the ninth Olympic marathon. For the first time, athletes from Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia competed together.
Los Angeles 1932 – la course de Juan Carlos ZABALA (ARG) 1e (1932) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum
ZABALA dominates the race
Juan Carlos ZABALA quickly took control of the race and was in the lead until the last 10 kilometres. In the last two kilometres, he managed to fend off his competitors and crossed the finish line over 300 metres ahead of British runner Sam FERRIS.
Los Angeles 1932 OG, Athletics, Marathon - Juan Carlos ZABALA (ARG) 1st crossing the finish line. (1932-08-07) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum
An Olympic record
Juan Carlos ZABALA crossed the finish line in a record time of 2 hours, 31 minutes and 36 seconds, ripping off the handkerchief that was tied around his head to protect him from the blazing sun.
Champion at the tender age of 20
With his time of 2 hours, 31 minutes and 36 seconds, Juan Carlos ZABALA achieved a double feat : the Olympic record and becoming the youngest ever winner of an Olympic marathon.
Los Angeles 1932 – le podium du marathon Hommes (1932) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum
Los Angeles 1932: the podium
On 17 August 1932 ZABALA won gold, sharing the podium with British runner Sam FERRIS and Finnish athlete Armas TOIVONEN. Together, these three competitors shattered the previous Olympic record.
Los Angeles 1932 – Paavo NURMI (FIN) dans les gradins (1932) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum
Notably absent from the race
The enigmatic figure of Finn Paavo NURMI remained a spectator in the grandstands, joined by D. KAHANAMOKU (USA), A. EARHART (USA), D. FAIRBANKS (USA) and A. JONATH (GER).
Nurmi was a notable absentee from the marathon, having been suspended for failing to adhere to the amateur athlete status at the Olympics.
Berlin 1936
ZABALA tripped over halfway through the race and eventually had to give up.
His marathon career was plagued by inconsistencies : he competed in only five marathons and finished just two of them. However, he emerged victorious in both the 1932 Olympics and the 1931 Košice Peace Marathon.
Juan Carlos ZABALA et Antonio RODRIGUEZ (ARG) (1981) by Comité Olimpico ArgentinoThe Olympic Museum
The honours pour in for ZABALA
In 1981 Juan Carlos ZABALA was honoured with a prestigious award presented by Argentine Antonio RODRIGUEZ, a member of the International Olympic Committee. Even 16 years after his death, in 1983 he was named Argentina's track and field athlete of the century.
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