In the Footsteps of Edwin Moses
Edwin Moses is a sports legend for many reasons.
There are his athletic achievements, of course, but also the fact that he was the first to monitor and analyze his performance scientifically in order to become the best.
His specialty? The 400m hurdles, a discipline he dominated outrageously for 122 races and nearly a decade—more precisely, 9 years, 9 months, and 9 days—without a single defeat in competition. On top of that, he claimed 2 Olympic titles, world titles, and set 4 world records. Who can top that?
His secret? His 13 steps.
A gift for Edwin presented at the premiere of his film Moses 13 Steps.
On September 21, 2024, the Martin Luther King Jr. Chapel at Morehouse College hosted the premiere of the film Moses 13 steps on Edwin Moses.
Directed by Mickael Wech and produced by Morgan Freeman, this film tells the unique story of Edwin, marked by his longevity, his pursuit of performance, and his commitments beyond the track.
Science in the service of performance, a groundbreaking first.
The most fascinating aspect is how he dominated the competition for 10 years. Beyond his exceptional physical abilities, he also owes his success to a scientific and technical approach to running.
As an engineer, Moses studied physics and applied his knowledge to optimize his performance. He analyzed his body movements, particularly the length of his legs and his stride, to determine the perfect stride—the one that allowed him to clear hurdles with seemingly effortless ease, unlike his competitors.
He was one of the pioneers in using digital devices to track his performances and analyze the collected data to optimize his running technique, transitioning from the standard 15 strides to 13 strides for greater efficiency.
Beyond sports, he advocated for a fairer, more just, and honest world.
So, you might be wondering why this article. The reason is simple. I had the chance to be indirectly part of the premiere of this documentary alongside my friend Samir Azzimani OLY, recipient of the Olympic Spirit Award for his film Samir, la force des rêves. Indeed, the painting 40 years ago… was presented to him on this occasion. It was a tremendous honor for me to paint this legend of sport.
Thank you, Edwin, for your dedication.
