Ralph Metcalfe
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| Medal record | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Ralph Metcalfe |
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| Men's Athletics | |||
Competitor for the  United States |
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| Olympic Games | |||
| Gold | 1936 Berlin | 4x100m relay | |
| Silver | 1932 Los Angeles | 100 metre | |
| Silver | 1936 Berlin | 100 metre | |
| Bronze | 1932 Los Angeles | 200 metre | |
Ralph Harold Metcalfe (May 30, 1910 – October 10, 1978) was an American athlete who jointly held the world record for the 100 metre sprint. Metcalfe was known as the world’s fastest human from 1932 through 1934.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Metcalfe studied at Marquette University and equalled the record of 10.3 seconds on a number of occasions, as well as equaling the 200 metre record of 20.6 seconds. At the 1932 Summer Olympics he virtually dead-heated with his rival Eddie Tolan, with the medal awarded to Tolan only after extended study of the photograph. Both recorded a time of 10.38 seconds. He received a bronze medal in the 200 metre event at these games. Metcalfe competed again in the 200 metres at the 1936 Summer Olympics, placing second to the great Jesse Owens. He received a gold medal as part of the winning 4x100 relay team.
Metcalfe completed a master's degree at the University of Southern California. After his college career, he joined the armed forces and served in World War II. Metcalfe later coached track at Xavier University of Louisiana before becoming a successful businessman in Chicago, Illinois.
In 1949, Metcalfe became a politician, first as a South Side Alderman for the city of Chicago; then as a Democrat representing Illinois' 1st congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1971 until his death in 1978 at age sixty-eight. He is interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois. He was a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).
In 1975, Metcalfe was inducted into the United States Track and Field Hall of Fame (USATF) and named a member of the President's Commission on Olympic Sports.
The federal building at 77 W. Jackson in Chicago was named for Metcalfe when it was dedicated in 1991.
Metcalfe was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.
[edit] External links
- Ralph Metcalfe Biography
- Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
- Ralph Metcalfe at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Ralph Metcalfe Memorial at Find A Grave
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| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by William L. Dawson |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 1st congressional district 1971-1978 |
Succeeded by Bennett M. Stewart |
