In the summer of 1920 Jack Kelly, a bricklayer and an expert oarsman, seeks to enter England's Henley Royal Regatta in the single sculls race.
Legend says he is turned away because as someone who "works with his hands" he obviously is no gentleman. More properly he is turned away because Vesper Boat Club, his sponsor, pays its athletes going to europe that summer a stipendto offset expenses.
Two months later Kelly wins an Olympic gold medal in the single sculls at the Antwerp Games, trouncing the Henley champion, Jack Beresford.
He then mailed his kelly-green racing cap to King George V with the note, "Greetings from a bricklayer."