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"Standing on the top podium of the Olympic medal stand and hearing them playing your national anthem - - That's something that you'll remember all of your life."

— Bobby Morrow
Bobby Morrow
Record-Setting Three-time Gold Medalist in Track

Bobby Morrow blazed a trail from Texas to Olympic gold and back, and changed the way the world thought about all Olympians. He was one of the fastest American sprinters ever. Training on a Texas farm, Morrow honed his lightning starts and sharpened his skills to dominate the 100- and 200-meter dashes in the 1950s. He qualified for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, joining an American team with an established pedigree. Between 1896 and 1952, American men won 44 Olympic medals in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.

In Melbourne, Morrow continued the tradition. He captured gold in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, tying the world record in the latter. He won a rare third gold in the 4x100-meter relay, propelling the team to a world record. Morrow was the first man to win three gold medals at an Olympics since Jesse Owens' 1936 Berlin performance.

Name: Bobby Joe Morrow
Born: Harlingen, Texas, 1935–
  • Gold Medalist, 4x100-meter relay, 100- and 200-meter dash, Melbourne Olympics, 1956
  • Set world records for 200-meter and 4x100-meter relays, 1956
  • Olympic Hall of Fame inductee, 1989
  • Amateur Athletic Union Sullivan Award winner, 1957
  • Activist for equal treatment of all athletes
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