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Author Topic: Cool Olympic Story - 7-27  (Read 249 times)

Offline midnight Target

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Cool Olympic Story - 7-27
« on: July 27, 2004, 07:19:21 AM »
John Kelly Sr. was a bricklayer from Philadelphia. He was also one of the greatest rowing champions ever to come out of the USA. He won 126 straight races at one point.

In 1920 Kelly was barred from competing in the prestigious Diamond Sculls race in Heresford England. The English accused Kelly's rowing club of professionalism.

About 2 weeks later, at the 1920 Games in Antwerp,  Kelly got his 1st revenge. He beat the winner of the Diamond Sculls in singles, then won the gold in the double sculls competition 30 minutes later.

You may ask... what do you mean by "1st Revenge"?

Kelly wsasn't done with those "Diamond Scull" snobs just yet. He went and had a son, John Kelly Jr., who won the Diamond Sculls twice in the late 40's. John Jr. Also competed in 4 Olympic games earning a bronze in the single sculls in Melbourne in 1956.

But John wasn't through. He also had a daughter who caused quite a stir. She was even able to snub the Brits by becoming the best looking princess ever... her name was Grace....

Grace Kelly.
« Last Edit: July 27, 2004, 07:56:41 AM by midnight Target »
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Offline JAGED

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Cool Olympic Story - 7-27
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2004, 07:53:34 AM »
Nice, but I think the proper term/spelling is Scull...
:)
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Offline midnight Target

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Cool Olympic Story - 7-27
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2004, 07:57:30 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by JAGED
Nice, but I think the proper term/spelling is Scull...
:)


TY, edited for spelling idiocy. Although this does prove I do a lot of this from memory.
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Offline JAGED

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« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2004, 08:03:11 AM »
I probably would not have known that a month ago but I'm going to the Olympics and was planning on catching some "Scull" action while I'm there (among other events).  It will be so cool.  I leave on 8/11.  :)
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Offline Holden McGroin

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Cool Olympic Story - 7-27
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2004, 08:14:35 AM »
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."
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Offline midnight Target

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« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2004, 09:51:15 AM »
I chose this story specifically for you Holden. I thought you'd be familiar with it.

There are many cool stories in this sport. The common laborer restriction I believe affected the Australian sculler Henry Pierce. After winning the 1928 gold he couldn't find work as a carpenter. A wealthy Canadian gave him work in his insurance firm. Pierce could now enter the "Henley" (I said Heresford didn't I) Regatta since he was no longer a "common laborer".

Pierce won the single gold in Los Angeles in 1932 also. He always competed for Australia although he lived in Canada.
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Offline demaw1

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« Reply #6 on: July 27, 2004, 03:53:42 PM »
That was great midnight thanks for the time and effort.Grace kelly amazing.
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Offline FUNKED1

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Cool Olympic Story - 7-27
« Reply #7 on: July 27, 2004, 03:59:30 PM »
Thank you Paul Harvey.
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Offline midnight Target

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« Reply #8 on: July 27, 2004, 04:10:52 PM »
Was gonna save this for another time, but since we are doing the rowing events......

There was one more famous American who medaled in the rowing events. This guy was much more famous as an author.
I'd give the year and event, but then someone would google it.
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Offline Holden McGroin

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« Reply #9 on: July 27, 2004, 08:39:36 PM »
He rowed in the Yale Eight which one the gold in the '24 games.  He then went on to be science officer on the Enterprise.
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Offline midnight Target

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« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2004, 09:58:57 PM »
hehe yep.
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