1. Early Life and Background
Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima's early life was rooted in rural Brazil, where he developed a strong work ethic and discovered his passion for athletics.
1.1. Birth and Childhood
Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima was born on July 4, 1969, in Cruzeiro do Oeste, Paraná, Brazil. He was raised by farming parents and, in 1973, his family relocated to Tapira, also in Paraná. During his childhood, Lima contributed to his family's income by performing small jobs on the farm. His early aspirations were to become a professional soccer player.
1.2. Early Athletic Career
At the age of 14, Lima began his athletic journey in earnest, encouraged by a local physical education teacher. He quickly achieved his first victory at a state-level event. Initially, Lima specialized as a cross-country runner. He represented Brazil at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 1989 and 1992. In 1993, he secured a bronze medal at the South American Cross Country Championships, and two years later, in 1995, he claimed the gold medal at the same competition. In 1992, Lima met Ricardo D'Angelo, who would become his long-term coach.
2. Marathon Career
Lima's transition to marathon running marked a significant turning point in his career, leading to numerous victories and personal bests.
2.1. Debut and Major Wins
Lima's entry into marathon running was somewhat serendipitous. In 1994, he participated in the Reims à Toutes Jambes marathon in France, initially serving as a "rabbit" (pace-setter) for the first half of the race. However, feeling strong, he decided to continue and ultimately won the race with a time of 2:11:06. In 1996, he won the Tokyo International Marathon with a time of 2:08:38, setting a new South American record and becoming the first South American runner to win the event. He also achieved significant victories at the São Paulo International Marathon in 2002, finishing in 2:11:19, and the Hamburg Marathon in 2004, with a time of 2:09:39.
2.2. Pan American Games Success
Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima was a dominant force in the marathon event at the Pan American Games, securing two consecutive gold medals. He won his first Pan American Games gold medal in 1999 at the Winnipeg Games in Canada, completing the race in 2:17:20. His second victory came in 2003 at the Santo Domingo Games in the Dominican Republic, where he finished with a time of 2:19:08. This race was particularly challenging due to the hot and humid conditions, which Lima described as the toughest of his life. He dedicated this victory to the memory of his father.
2.3. Personal Bests and Notable Performances
Lima consistently delivered strong performances throughout his marathon career. In 1997, he competed in the World Athletics Championships in Athens, finishing 23rd. He set his personal best time of 2:08:31 at the 1998 Tokyo Marathon, where he finished second behind Alberto Juzdado, further improving his own South American record. That same year, he placed fifth at the New York City Marathon with a time of 2:10:42. In 1999, he secured a third-place finish at the Fukuoka International Marathon with a time of 2:08:40. He continued to perform well, taking third place at the Rotterdam Marathon in April 2000 with a time of 2:08:34, and finishing second at the Beppu-Ōita Mainichi Marathon in February 2001 with a time of 2:10:02.
3. Olympic Appearances
Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima participated in multiple Olympic Games, gaining valuable experience that culminated in his memorable performance in Athens.
3.1. 1996 Atlanta Olympics
Lima made his Olympic debut at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, United States. He competed in the men's marathon, finishing in 47th place with a time of 2:21:01. Lima described his first Olympic experience as "definitely a great experience," though he noted issues with his shoes during the race.
3.2. 2000 Sydney Olympics
Lima's second Olympic appearance was at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Unfortunately, his performance was hampered by physical issues, including foot inflammation. He had to stop three times during the race and ultimately finished in 75th place with a time of 2:37:08.
4. 2004 Athens Olympics Marathon Incident
The 2004 Athens Olympics marathon became the defining moment of Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima's career, marked by an unprecedented incident that tested his resolve and showcased his extraordinary sportsmanship.
4.1. Leading the Race
On August 29, 2004, during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Lima was poised to make history as the first Brazilian to win an Olympic gold medal in the marathon. Having prepared for the event with high-altitude training in Paipa, Colombia, he was in excellent form. Approximately 22 mile (35 km) into the race, Lima held a significant lead of about 25 to 30 seconds over his closest competitors, equivalent to roughly 492 ft (150 m).
4.2. The Attack by Neil Horan
While maintaining his strong lead at the 22 mile (35 km) mark, Lima was suddenly accosted by a spectator, Neil Horan. Horan, an Irish former priest who had previously disrupted the 2003 British Grand Prix by running onto the Silverstone track, grappled with Lima and pushed him off the course. A Greek spectator, Polyvios Kossivas, intervened to free Lima from Horan's grasp, allowing him to resume the race. Horan later stated his motivation for the attack was "to spread the gospel and to prepare people for the Second Coming."
4.3. Impact on Performance and Result
The incident caused Lima to lose an estimated 5 to 10 seconds and significantly disrupted his concentration and pace. Following the disruption, he was overtaken by Stefano Baldini of Italy, who eventually won the gold medal with a time of 2:10:55, and Meb Keflezighi of the United States, who secured the silver medal with 2:11:29. Lima ultimately finished in third place, earning the bronze medal with a time of 2:12:11.
4.4. Awarding of the Bronze Medal
Despite the severe disruption, Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima demonstrated remarkable composure and determination to complete the race and secure the bronze medal. His final time was 2:12:11.
4.5. Appeal for Gold Medal
Following the incident, the Brazilian Athletics Confederation launched an appeal to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Lima's behalf, requesting that he be awarded a gold medal. The confederation's president, Roberto Gesta de Melo, argued that "someone took him out of the race and we are asking for a gold medal for our athlete... solutions like that have been done in the past for other events." However, the appeal was ultimately rejected by the IOC. Despite the outcome, Lima's response to the incident was one of grace and acceptance, stating that he was simply "happy to finish and get a medal" and that the event was "God's test," without expressing any criticism towards Horan.
4.6. Pierre de Coubertin Medal Award
In recognition of his exceptional display of sportsmanship and adherence to the Olympic values in the face of adversity, the International Olympic Committee awarded Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima the Pierre de Coubertin Medal. This special award, named after the founder of the modern Olympic Games, is given to athletes who embody the spirit of fair play. Lima officially received the medal on December 7, 2004, during a formal ceremony organized by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) in Rio de Janeiro, as part of the annual Prêmio Brasil Olímpico. The Greek spectator, Polyvios Kossivas, who had helped Lima during the attack, was also invited to attend the ceremony. As of May 2022, Lima remains the only South American athlete to have received this prestigious medal.
5. Post-Olympic Career and Retirement
Following the Athens Olympics, Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima continued his athletic career for several years before retiring from competitive marathon running.
5.1. Later Competitions
After the 2004 Athens Olympics, Lima continued to participate in various competitions, though his later career was increasingly affected by injuries and his age, leading to more withdrawals from races. He competed in the 2005 World Championships in Athletics marathon race but did not finish. That same year, he participated in the Saint Silvester Road Race, finishing 14th. In 2007, he attempted to defend his title at the 2007 Pan American Games but was forced to drop out at the 23 mile (37 km) mark due to muscular problems. Later that year, he competed as an invited athlete in the inaugural Tokyo Marathon, finishing in sixth place with a time of 2:16:08.
5.2. Retirement from Marathon Running
Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima concluded his professional marathon running career at the Paris Marathon in April 2009. His biography, Vanderlei de Lima - A Maratona de uma Vida (A Marathon of Life), written by Renata Adrião D'Angelo, was published in Brazil in 2007.
6. Awards and Honors
Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima received several significant awards and honors throughout his career, recognizing his athletic achievements and his exemplary character.
6.1. Brazilian Athlete of the Year
In 2004, Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima was named Brazil's Athlete of the Year. Notably, this was the first time the award's winner was selected through an online popular vote, reflecting the widespread admiration for his performance and spirit at the Athens Olympics. He received this trophy from the Brazilian Olympic Committee concurrently with the Pierre de Coubertin Medal.
6.2. 2016 Olympic Torchbearer
In August 2016, Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima was bestowed the immense honor of being the final torchbearer and lighting the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in his home country, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He also participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics torch relay in Brasília. This moment was a powerful symbol of his enduring legacy and the Olympic spirit he embodies.
7. Legacy and Impact
Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima's career has left a lasting impact, primarily defined by his unwavering sportsmanship and deep connection with the running community, particularly in Japan.
7.1. Sportsmanship and Resilience
Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima is widely regarded as an icon of sportsmanship and resilience. His conduct during the 2004 Athens Olympics marathon, where he continued to compete and maintained a positive attitude despite being physically attacked and losing his lead, became a powerful example of integrity and perseverance in sports. His calm and accepting demeanor in the aftermath, refusing to blame his assailant, further cemented his reputation as a true embodiment of the Olympic spirit. This display resonated globally, earning him the prestigious Pierre de Coubertin Medal and inspiring countless individuals.
7.2. Relationship with Japan
Lima developed a notable and enduring relationship with Japan throughout his career. He frequently participated in Japanese marathon events, achieving significant results such as winning the Tokyo International Marathon in 1996, placing second in the same race in 1998, third in the Fukuoka International Marathon in 1999, second in the Beppu-Oita Marathon in 2001, and sixth in the inaugural Tokyo Marathon in 2007. Beyond competitive running, Lima also made guest appearances on Japanese television, notably participating twice as a guest runner in the "Akasaka 5-chome Mini Marathon" segment of the TBS program All-Star Thanksgiving Festival in both spring and autumn of 2005.
| Date | Event | Time | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 1996 | Tokyo International Marathon | 2:08:38 | 1st | South American record at the time; first South American winner of the event |
| August 1996 | Atlanta Olympics | 2:21:01 | 47th | |
| August 1997 | Athens World Championships in Athletics | 2:21:48 | 23rd | |
| February 1998 | Tokyo International Marathon | 2:08:31 | 2nd | Improved his own South American record |
| November 1998 | New York City Marathon | 2:10:42 | 5th | |
| July 1999 | Pan American Games | 2:17:20 | 1st | |
| December 1999 | Fukuoka International Marathon | 2:08:40 | 3rd | |
| April 2000 | Rotterdam Marathon | 2:08:34 | 3rd | |
| August 2000 | Sydney Olympics | 2:37:08 | 75th | |
| February 2001 | Beppu-Ōita Mainichi Marathon | 2:10:02 | 2nd | |
| July 2002 | São Paulo International Marathon | 2:11:19 | 1st | |
| August 2003 | Pan American Games | 2:19:08 | 1st | |
| April 2004 | Hamburg Marathon | 2:09:39 | 1st | |
| August 2004 | Athens Olympics | 2:10:25 | 3rd | Suffered interference from a spectator |