From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Reginald Edgar "Reggie" Walker (March 16, 1889
– November 5, 1951) was a South African athlete
and the 1908 Olympic champion in the 100 metres.
Biography
Born in Natal,
Walker, the 1907 South African Champion, was not among the big
favourites for the 100 metres at the 1908
Summer Olympics. He even had trouble getting to London, as he lacked the
necessary finances until a Natal sportswriter collected funds to
support Walker's travel. In England, he was coached by Sam Mussabini,
later also the coach of Harold Abrahams.
Several of the big names did not qualify for the final, but
Walker did. His first round was a relatively easy victory run in
11.0 seconds. In the second round, Walker edged out William W. May of
the United
States while tying the Olympic record of 10.8 seconds. This
qualified him for the final. There he competed against three North
Americans, including James Rector
of the United States, who had equalled the Olympic Record in both
of the qualifier rounds. Walker beat Rector in the final by about a
foot and half.
Walker is still the youngest winner of the Olympic 100 metres as
of 2008 (at 19 years and 128 days).
References
External
links
| Persondata |
| NAME |
Walker, Reginald Edgar |
| ALTERNATIVE
NAMES |
|
| SHORT
DESCRIPTION |
South African athlete, Olympic medalist |
| DATE OF BIRTH |
March 16, 1889 |
| PLACE OF
BIRTH |
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| DATE OF DEATH |
November 5, 1951 |
| PLACE OF
DEATH |
|
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