Duke Olympic Trivia

[dj]

What weight man competed in an Olympic hurdles final?

John Garrels, 1908? Or was he a hurdler who also medaled in the throws?!

One of my old-timer faves. Would have been well known much later than he was if they'd only had a decathlon before the 1912 Games.


edited to attribute quote properly

[bambam]

GH is right about the 2nd question - Juri Tarmak was a gold medalist, not just medalist, but I thought that was too easy. Of course, tarmak can be found at every airport in the world.

The first is the South African weightman - George Weightman-Smith, who competed in the 1928 110H final.

[bambam]

John Garrels, 1908? Or was he a hurdler who also medaled in the throws?!

John Garrels was a good hurdlers as well as shot putter/discus thrower, and would have been an all-arounder had the decathlon been around. But he never competed in an all-around championship in his career. He likely would have not won that competition as he was in the same era as Martin Sheridan, my all-time favorite track & field athlete, and Sheridan was dominant in the all-around and would have defeated Garrels.

They connect however, via the 1908 Olympic Opening Ceremony. Sheridan is famous for having described the fact that the American flag was not dipped to the English monarch, by saying, "This flag dips to no earthly king." It is often written, including in the 1908 New York Times, that the flag bearer was Johnny Garrels, not Sheridan. That is incorrect. It was not Sheridan but is was also not Garrels. Garrels was the standard bearer - carrying the United States name placard. The flag bearer in 1908 was the huge shot putter Ralph Rose. To clear up this discrepancy I dug up some old photos and Rose is unmistakable as the flagbearer.

[tandfman]

Of course, tarmak can be found at every airport in the world.

If you're flying to the National Spelling Bee, you'd better find an airport with a tarmac.

[gh]

I'm sure this has been posted here before, but Tarmak used to be part of the '70s trivia question of "name high jumpers" who can jump off themselves.

Others were Dwight Stones, Tom Woods, Benn Fields..... more?

[Double R Bar]

This would be a tough jump, but how about Ben Hedges?

[Per Andersen]

I'm sure this has been posted here before, but Tarmak used to be part of the '70s trivia question of "name high jumpers" who can jump off themselves.

Others were Dwight Stones, Tom Woods, Benn Fields..... more?

Staffan Strand and Stefan Holm.

[paulthefan]

a better question for the daily double

Had it not been for this duke grad one of the greatest dash men of the 60 would not have waited until after his 27th birthday to collect his first olympic medal and would have attained sprint medals in 3 successive olympics?

[tandfman]

I asssume you're referring to Dave Sime and whoever finished fourth in the 100 in Rome. Scratching my head and blanking on who it was.

[dukehjsteve]

I asssume you're referring to Dave Sime and whoever finished fourth in the 100 in Rome. Scratching my head and blanking on who it was.

That was one tough question, I gave up and looked it up. tandfman, you are on the track !

[tandfman]

Yeah, I eventually looked it up, too. I never would have come up with the name although I certainly remember the guy.

[paulthefan]

dukehjer can I at least get an attaboy for conceiving that one!

[dukehjsteve]

dukehjer can I at least get an attaboy for conceiving that one!

attaboy !

[cullman]

I asssume you're referring to Dave Sime and whoever finished fourth in the 100 in Rome. Scratching my head and blanking on who it was.

Enrique Figuerola of Cuba. Silver ahead of Canada's own Harry Jerome in the Tokyo 100 and a silver in the Mexico City relay.

[dukehjsteve]

Slight hijack here.

What Duke Alum and current student won a World Champs medal. Bonus points for details.

That's got to be Curt Clausen, Duke alum and world-class walker. But what's this about "current student" ?

This is a "bump" for MJR... need a response to the above, from some days ago.