‘Marathon’: Indie Film Aims To Tell Story Of Vanderlei de Lima, Olympian Who Was Attacked Mid-Marathon In 2004

 BY OLIVIA TRUFFAUT-WONG

Loyzo Smolinsky, who has worked behind the scenes on Saturday Night Live and The Leftovers, is hoping to make his screenwriting debut with Marathon, a film about marathon runner Vanderlei de Lima.

Marathon: The Story Of Vanderlei de Lima

In 2004, Lima competed in the Athens Olympics and was leading the Marathon Men’s Final race when a protestor attacked him, dragged him to the side of the road and derailed his trajectory with four miles to go. Lima was able to recover, but failed to maintain his lead. Lima did, however, manage to earn a Bronze Medal – the first marathon medal ever won by a Brazilian. Lima’s tenacity and willingness to keep going despite the freak attack and his humility on the podium helped make him a Brazilian national hero. He was also awarded the special Pierre de Coubertin medal for his demonstration of Olympic spirit.