Charley Paddock facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Charley Paddock

Charles Paddock after the 1920 Olympics
Personal information
Full name	Charles William Paddock
Nationality	American
Born	(1900-08-11)August 11, 1900 Gainesville, Texas
Died	July 21, 1943(1943-07-21) (aged 42) Sitka, Alaska
Height	5 ft 7+1/2 in
Weight	165 lb
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	100 m, 200 m
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	100 m – 10.2 (1921) 200 m – 21.0 (1923)
Medal record Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1920 Antwerp 100 m Gold 1920 Antwerp 4x100 m relay Silver 1920 Antwerp 200 m Silver 1924 Paris 200 m Universiade Gold 1923 Paris 100 m Gold 1923 Paris 200 m

Charles William Paddock (born August 11, 1900 – died July 21, 1943) was an American athlete. He was a two-time Olympic champion, famous for his speed.

Life and Running Career

Charley Paddock was born in Gainesville, Texas. His family moved to Pasadena, California, when he was a child. After serving in World War I as a lieutenant in the U.S. Marines, Paddock went to the University of Southern California.

At the university, he joined the track and field team. He became very good at sprint races. In 1919, he won the 100 and 200 meter races at the Inter-Allied Games. This was a big sports event where soldiers from different countries competed. Paddock was known as "The fastest man alive."

Olympic Success

In 1920, Paddock went to the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. This was where he had his biggest wins. He won a gold medal in the 100 meter race. He also won a silver medal in the 200 meter race. With the American 4 × 100 meter relay team, Paddock won another Olympic gold medal.

Paddock was famous for his special way of finishing races. He would leap towards the finish line right at the end.

The next year, he ran 110 yards in 10.2 seconds. This distance is a little more than 100 meters. His time was so fast that the world record for the 100 meters wasn't faster than his 110-yard time until 1956!

Later Olympic Games

Paddock competed again at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. He made it to the finals for both the 100 and 200 meter races. He finished 5th in the 100 meters. He won another silver medal in the 200 meters. He was not part of the American relay team that year.

You might know about the 1924 Olympics from the movie Chariots of Fire. This Oscar-winning film from 1981 showed Paddock's races. In the movie, he was played by actor Dennis Christopher.

In 1928, Paddock went to his third Olympics. He competed in the 200 meter race but did not reach the final.

Life Outside Running

Besides running, Paddock also worked in newspapers. His father-in-law was a newspaper publisher. In 1926, Paddock even appeared in a silent movie called The Campus Flirt. The movie is now lost. He also wrote a book about his life called The Fastest Human, which came out in 1932.

His Final Years

During World War II, Paddock was a captain in the military. In 1943, he died in a plane crash near Sitka, Alaska. He was buried at Sitka National Cemetery.

In 1976, Charley Paddock was honored for his amazing career. He was added to the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.

Competition Record

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing  United States
1920	Olympics	Antwerp, Belgium	1st	100 m	10.6
1923	Universiade	Paris, France	1st	100 m	10.4
1923	Universiade	Paris, France	1st	200 m	21.0

See also

In Spanish: Charles Paddock para niños