Lee Calhoun

Lee Quincy Calhoun (February 23, 1933 – June 21, 1989) was an American athlete, a double winner of 110 m hurdles at the Olympic Games.

Lee Calhoun
Personal information
Full nameLee Quincy Calhoun
BornFebruary 23, 1933 (1933-02-23)
Laurel, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedJune 21, 1989 (1989-06-22) (aged 56)
Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1956 Melbourne 110 m Hurdles
Gold medal – first place 1960 Rome 110 m Hurdles

Biography

Born in Laurel, Mississippi, Lee Calhoun, representing North Carolina Central University, won the NCAA 120 yd hurdles in 1956 and 1957. He also won the AAU championships in 110 m hurdles in 1956 and 1959 and in 120 yd hurdles in 1957.

At the 1956 Summer Olympics Calhoun surprisingly improved his personal best in 110 m by almost a full second in a final. He ran 13.5 to win the gold medal, edging teammate Jack Davis with a lunge that just got his shoulder across the line in front. He had learned the maneuver from Davis.

Calhoun was suspended in 1958 for receiving gifts on Bride and Groom, a television game show, and seemed to be past his prime for the 1960 Summer Olympics. But shortly before the Rome Olympics, he tied the world record of 13.2 and went to the Olympic Games as a main favourite. In the final, he won in 13.98, beating teammate Willie May by 0.01 seconds.

After retiring from competition, he became a college track coach, first at Grambling State University, then at Yale, and finally at Western Illinois University. He was an assistant Olympic coach at the 1976 Summer Olympics.

He was elected to the United States National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1974.

Lee Calhoun died in Erie, Pennsylvania, aged 56.

References
    • "Obituaries: Lee Calhoun, 56, a Star Hurdler". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 22, 1989. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
    • Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Lee Calhoun". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
    • "USATF Hall of Fame: Lee Calhoun". USA Track & Field. Archived from the original on November 25, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.