Edwin Moses documentary to premiere on September 21 at his alma mater Morehouse College

The documentary about how Edwin Moses combined academics with sports to grow to be the world’s best hurdler within the Nineteen Eighties after which used that fame to fight for higher pay and fair play will premiere Sept. 21 at his alma mater as a part of the Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival.

The film’s title, “MOSES-13 Steps,” refers to the variety of steps he took between hurdles. At the time, most hurdlers took 14 steps. Moses, who has a master’s degree in physics, used science to determine how he could shave fractions of a second off his 400-meter hurdles by lengthening his stride and saving a step. It also involved learning to jump off a distinct foot—no small feat in probably the most technical sport on the track.

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The film uses archival footage and interviews to follow Moses’ journey from childhood through a profession that included an unparalleled streak of 122 race wins. He used his celebrity to push for higher performance pay for himself and other track stars. Moses later became an outspoken critic of the Olympic movement’s drug policy and eventually became chairman of United States Anti-Doping Agency.

“This film delves into the life of Olympic 400-meter hurdles champion Edwin Moses. On the track, no one could match him for a decade. Off the track, he left an even greater legacy,” said one among the film’s producers, actor Morgan Freeman.

Moses will receive two awards at the premiere: the film festival’s Enlightened Lens Documentary Feature Award and the primary humanitarian award named in Moses’ honor, which recognizes his contributions on and off the track.