Forrest Smithson - Olympic Champion

Written by Steve Smithson Wednesday, 01 September 2004 07:58

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Forrest Custer Smithson (September 26, 1884 - November 24, 1962) was an American athlete, winner of 110m hurdles at the 1908 Summer Olympics.

Born in Portland, Oregon, Forrest Smithson, a student of theology from Yale University, was an AAU champion in 1907 and 1909 in 120yd hurdles.

At the 1908 games in London, the main favourites were Smithson's teammates John Garrels and Arthur Shaw who had earlier equalled to Alvin Kraenzlein's world record of 15.2. The 110m hurdles weren't contested on a track as usual, but on a special path on a stadion grass. Only Americans reached the final, which was run on the last day of the London Games. The start was excellent, but Smithson gained slightly over each hurdle in perfect style, and won by five yards ahead of Garrels, running a new world record of 15 seconds precisely. The results were:

1. Forrest SMITHSON (USA) 15.0 WR
2. John GARRELS (USA) 15.7
3. Arthur SHAW (USA) 15.8
4. William RAND (USA) 16.0

ImageThe wide-spread story about Smithson winning his gold by carrying a Bible in his left hand, to protest against the decision to run the 110 m hurdles final on a Sunday is hoax. Firstly, none of the 110m hurdles heats or the final were scheduled or planned to run on a Sunday.

Also this story wasn't mentioned in the newspapers or the official report. This story is probably based on a picture published in the official report. But this picture is taken after the final and clearly posed. The only true statement of this story is, that Smithson was a highly religious man.

Forrest Smithson died in Contra Costa County, California, aged 78.

Here's how the Olympic times have progressed over the years....

1896Tom CurtisUSA17.6 
1900Alvin KraenzleinUSA15.4OR
1904Frederick SchuleUSA16.0 
1906Robert LeavittUSA16.2 
1908Forrest SmithsonUSA15.0WR
1912Frederick KellyUSA15.1 
1920Earl ThomsonCAN14.8WR
1924Daniel KinseyUSA15.0 
1928Syd AtkinsonS. Afr.14.8 
1932George SalingUSA14.6 
1936Forrest TownsUSA14.2 
1948William PorterUSA13.9OR
1952Harrison DillardUSA13.7OR
1956 Lee CalhounUSA13.5OR
1960Lee CalhounUSA13.8 
1964Hayes JonesUSA13.6 
1968Willie DavenportUSA13.3OR
1972Rod MilburnUSA13.24 
1976Guy DrutFRA13.30 
1980Thomas MunkeltE. Ger13.39 
1984Roger KingdomUSA13.20OR
1988Roger KingdomUSA12.98OR
1992Mark McKoyCAN13.12 
1996Allen JohnsonUSA12.95OR
2000Anier GarciaCUB13.00 
2004Xiang LiuCHN12.91  
2008Dayron RoblesCUB12.93Holds WR of 12.87 set 12 Jun 2008


Note: Further information on the 1908 games can be found on the Official Olympic Games Site
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