Up, Up, And Away

[Double R Bar]

This Olympic champion turns 104 years old today (Friday), although he died some forty years ago. Born in the only U.S. state capital with three words, this person led a U.S. sweep at the Olympic Games.
Our birthday athlete was the youngest person ever to win his event at the Olympics. He was not the favorite to win the gold medal. His son also competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials about 32 years later and finished in sixth place in the same event.
Do you know this athlete who won the Olympic gold medal as a high schooler and was born on this day 104 years ago?

[dukehjsteve]

Re: Up, Up, And Away

Double r bar, I love your questions even when I don't know the answers, as it's fun to research the answers.... which I have now done on this one with a little bit of clever effort. And I'm delighted with the answer, as it's my own last name. One hint I will offer is that there is another OG champ with the same last name in a different event.

[Double R Bar]

Re: Up, Up, And Away

I didn't realize that was your last name, dukehjsteve. Let me provide some extra help. This other Olympic champion is also an American and won his gold medal in the United States. In fact, he is the last American to win an Olympic gold medal is this field event.

Now, for our birthday athlete's first name: It is also the last name of a very famous American general.

Who is our birthday athlete for today?

[lonewolf]

Re: Up, Up, And Away

I dunno but, without looking, he was born in Salt Lake City.

[Double R Bar]

Re: Up, Up, And Away

Salt Lake City is the only U.S. state capital with three words. Good job, lonewolf, but we need the name of this Olympic champion. Look to the title for a clue as to his event.

[catson52]

Re: Up, Up, And Away

I didn't realize that was your last name, dukehjsteve. Let me provide some extra help. This other Olympic champion is also an American and won his gold medal in the United States. In fact, he is the last American to win an Olympic gold medal is this field event.

Now, for our birthday athlete's first name: It is also the last name of a very famous American general.

Who is our birthday athlete for today?

Took some digging, but looks like Lee Barnes. I was misled by the too obvious clue to a famous general.

[Double R Bar]

Re: Up, Up, And Away

Nice job, catson52. You got it. Today, 104 years ago, Lee Barnes was born in Utah. Can you imagine a high school vaulter winning the Olympic gold medal? That's what Lee did at the 1924 Paris Olympics. He had his 18th birthday six days after winning the Olympic gold medal in the pole vault.
Glenn Graham, who took the silver medal in this event, had a son (James Graham) who made the 1956 Olympic team in the pole vault. James Graham developed an injury after making the U.S. Olympic team and gave his spot to Bob Gutowski. Gutowski, you will remember, went on to take the silver medal at the Melbourne Olympics, just as Glenn Graham did at the Paris Olympics.

[lonewolf]

Re: Up, Up, And Away

Glenn Graham, who took the silver medal in this event, had a son (James Graham) who made the 1956 Olympic team in the pole vault.

Update: Jim Graham is now a veterinarian in OKC ......engaged in an ongoing search for a starter for the gorgeous cream over green 1955 Roadmaster he is restoring.