Reggie Walker (sprinter): Difference between revisions
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'''Reginald Edgar Walker''' (16 March 1889 in [[Durban]] – 5 November 1951) was a South African [[Sport of athletics|athlete]] and the 1908 [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] champion in the 100 metres.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/75343 |title=Reggie Walker |work=Olympedia |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref> | '''Reginald Edgar Walker''' (16 March 1889 in [[Durban]] – 5 November 1951) was a South African [[Sport of athletics|athlete]] and the 1908 [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] champion in the 100 metres.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/75343 |title=Reggie Walker |work=Olympedia |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref> | ||
== Biography == | == Biography == | ||
Born in the [[Colony of 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]]. | Born in the [[Colony of 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]]. | ||
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[[Category:1951 deaths]] | [[Category:1951 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:Athletes from Durban]] | [[Category:Athletes from Durban]] | ||
[[Category:South African | [[Category:South African men sprinters]] | ||
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1908 Summer Olympics]] | [[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1908 Summer Olympics]] | ||
[[Category:Olympic athletes for South Africa]] | [[Category:Olympic athletes for South Africa]] | ||
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[[Category:Colony of Natal people]] | [[Category:Colony of Natal people]] | ||
[[Category:Medalists at the 1908 Summer Olympics]] | [[Category:Medalists at the 1908 Summer Olympics]] | ||
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists in athletics | [[Category:Olympic gold medalists in athletics]] | ||
[[Category:South African military personnel of World War I]] | [[Category:South African military personnel of World War I]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century South African sportsmen]] | [[Category:20th-century South African sportsmen]] | ||
Latest revision as of 07:08, 1 November 2025
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Reginald Edgar Walker (16 March 1889 in Durban – 5 November 1951) was a South African athlete and the 1908 Olympic champion in the 100 metres.[1]
Biography
Born in the Colony of 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, again equaling the Olympic record in 10.8 seconds.
Walker was still the youngest winner of the Olympic 100 metres Template:As of (at 19 years and 128 days).
During World War I, Walker served with the 7th Infantry in German South West Africa, before joining the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force in 1917, serving in France, during which time he received a gunshot wound to the head. Walker was discharged from the Army in 1919 and later worked as a clerk with Ropes & Mattings in Nairobi, Kenya Colony, before returning to South Africa.[2]
References
Sources
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External links
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- 1889 births
- 1951 deaths
- Athletes from Durban
- South African men sprinters
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1908 Summer Olympics
- Olympic athletes for South Africa
- Olympic gold medalists for South Africa
- Colony of Natal people
- Medalists at the 1908 Summer Olympics
- Olympic gold medalists in athletics
- South African military personnel of World War I
- 20th-century South African sportsmen