Mahalia Jackson

[Double R Bar]

Happy 43rd birthday today (Monday) to an Olympic gold medalist who won four of them (Olympic gold medals).
This athlete was crowned world champion some eight times. The youngest of five children, our birthday athlete has a ten year old son.
Competing in three Olympic Games and five world championships, our birthday athlete is the only male to win two certain events in the same Olympic Games.
Setting world records more than once, this person still holds a major world mark.
Graduating from a college which was named for a person born in Kentucky, our birthday athlete has the same initials as the "Queen of Gospel".
Can anyone name this Olympic champion, world record holder, and all-around good guy?

[Pego]

Re: Mahalia Jackson

Too easy.

[Double R Bar]

Re: Mahalia Jackson

They can't all be difficult.

[Pego]

Re: Mahalia Jackson

Some answers I admire reverentially. The amount of collective knowledge on this message board is pretty incredible.

[bambam]

Re: Mahalia Jackson

Too easy.

OK, I'll make it more difficult rather than the obvious answer.

Same initials as the other guy and Mahalia. Born today, six-time national champion in the sprints, also doubled at the Olympics in two events, although this has been done several times. Repeated that double two years later at another non-Olympic major international, after having also won that double at the same major international before her Olympic double. After the Olympic double, married an Olympic cyclist. First female from her country to win an Olympic athletics gold medal.

[Double R Bar]

Re: Mahalia Jackson

I'll let someone else answer this one. I got to meet this woman in Sydney during the 2000 Olympic Games. Some other hints: She has the same last name as a U.S. president. She comes from a country that speaks English. She set a world record when she won her first Olympic gold medal the same year Dwight David Eisenhower was first elected president of the U.S.
Now you have two athletes born today (Monday) with the same initials (and maybe even sharing an event). Can you name both?

[mump boy]

Re: Mahalia Jackson

marjorie jackson

[bambam]

Re: Mahalia Jackson

marjorie jackson

Good. Married to Olympic cyclist Peter Nelson. I think everyone knows the other one.