Bobby Morrow facts for kids
Morrow with wife Jo Ann in 1956
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
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| Born | October 15, 1935 Harlingen, Texas, U.S. |
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| Died | May 30, 2020 (aged 84) San Benito, Texas, U.S |
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| Sport | |||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | ||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 100–400 m | ||||||||||||||||
| Club | ACU Wildcats, Abilene | ||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 100 m – 10.2 (1956) 200 m – 20.75 (1956) 400 m – 47.7 (1959) |
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Medal record
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Bobby Joe Morrow (born October 15, 1935 – died May 30, 2020) was an amazing American sprinter. He was known as one of the best sprinters of the 1950s. People said he was "the most relaxed sprinter of all time." He was born in Harlingen, Texas.
Bobby Morrow won three gold medals at the 1956 Summer Olympics. After his great success, he decided to retire in 1958. He became a farmer and a woodworker. He tried to compete again for the 1960 Summer Olympics, but he did not make the U.S. Olympic team.
Contents
Bobby Morrow: A Sprinting Legend
Early Life and Start in Sports
Bobby Joe Morrow grew up on a farm in San Benito, Texas. Before he became a famous sprinter, he played American football for his high school team. He also ran track at Abilene Christian University.
In 1955, Morrow won a big national race, the AAU 100-yard title. His best year was 1956. That year, Sports Illustrated magazine chose him as "Sportsman of the Year."
Olympic Glory in 1956
Bobby Morrow was the star of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. He won three gold medals there. He was the leader of the American sprint team.
First, he won the 100-meter dash. Then, he won the 200-meter dash. He even tied the world record for that distance. His time was 20.6 seconds.
His third gold medal was in the 4×100-meter relay race. He ran the final part of the race, helping his team set a new world record.
Life After the Olympics
After winning three gold medals, Bobby Morrow became very famous. He appeared on the covers of popular magazines like Life and SPORT. He was also on TV shows like The Ed Sullivan Show. He even spoke to the Texas government.
Morrow kept winning races after the Olympics. But in 1958, he decided to retire from running. He wanted to work as a farmer and woodworker. He tried to return for the 1960 Olympics, but he didn't make the team.
Remembering a Champion
In October 2006, his old high school honored him. They named their new sports stadium Bobby Morrow Stadium. Morrow was there for the special event.
He was added to the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1989. In 2016, he joined the Texas Track and Field Coaches Hall of Fame.
Bobby Morrow passed away on May 30, 2020. He was 84 years old. He died at his home in San Benito, Texas.
Images for kids
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Morrow in a college chemistry lab in 1956
See also
In Spanish: Bobby Morrow para niños
