Der Läufer von Marathon (1933)

The 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The highly ambitious Lore Steinkopf is a star in springboard diving and is determined to win the gold medal in her event. Three men, all top athletes and Olympians themselves, are courting her: German marathon runners Georg and Karl, as well as José Barrada, the Brazilian world champion in the 400-meter swimming event. Although married to a pretty young woman, the South American has fallen hopelessly in love with Lore. His hot-blooded temperament even leads him to neglect his training. Lore, however, is not interested in the considerably older man. But those around her fear that José’s amorous advances might distract her from preparing for her event. When José’s wife, Eveline, asks Lore not to see her husband anymore, Lore is only too happy to comply. But Lore’s withdrawal makes José even more possessive and jealous. The Games begin, and Lore does indeed make it onto the winners’ podium and receive the gold medal. That afternoon, Barrada has to take to the pool to compete in his signature event. His thoughts are so far elsewhere that he loses, even though Lore had promised to be at the stadium. In fact, Lore had missed the start time because of exhaustion and arrived late. José finishes only third and is now bitterly disappointed. Through her friend Else, Lore learns of Barrada’s poor result. The Brazilian is furious, seeks Lore out in the Olympic Village, and blames her for his poor performance. During a subsequent high-speed drive with him at the wheel, their argument escalates. The car crashes and overturns. Barrada is seriously injured; Lore is only slightly hurt. She manages to drag herself out of the hospital and arrives just in time to watch her friends Karl and Georg run the marathon. Shortly before the start, Else had told the two men that Lore wanted to welcome the winner. A rivalry now develops between the two men, who had earlier nearly fought over Lore, and they face all sorts of mishaps along the long course. With one last burst of strength, Georg does indeed cross the finish line first. Karl, who had to drop out from exhaustion, is devastated, but he has no reason to be: he is the one Lore has been in love with for quite some time. Completely spent, he staggers into her arms.