Final answer:
Jim Thorpe was the first athlete to win four gold medals during the 1912 Olympic Games, but was later stripped of them due to amateurism rules. His medals were posthumously restored in the 1980s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first athlete to win four gold medals was Jim Thorpe, a Native American who excelled at a variety of sports. He achieved this remarkable feat in the 1912 Olympic Games held in Stockholm, winning gold in both the pentathlon and decathlon. Unfortunately, due to the strict amateurism rules of the time, Thorpe was later stripped of his medals when it was discovered he had played semi-professional baseball, which was considered a violation of the amateur status. However, his medals were posthumously reinstated in the 1980s following a campaign by enthusiasts and historians who recognized his extraordinary talents and contributions to sport. Jim Thorpe's legacy lives on as he was not only an Olympic gold medalist but also a professional baseball and football player and a symbol of resilience and talent across various domains of sport. He is frequently regarded as one of the greatest athletes in the history of sport, and his success helped to popularize sports figures and their accomplishments in the early 20th century.