Eddie Tolan facts for kids
Tolan in 1932
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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| Born | September 29, 1908 Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
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| Died | January 30/31, 1967 (aged 58) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | |||||||||||||
| Weight | 143 lb (65 kg) | |||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | |||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 100 m, 200 m | |||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 100 m – 10.38 (1932) 200 m – 20.9y (1931) |
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Medal record
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Eddie Tolan (born September 29, 1908) was an amazing American track and field athlete. People called him the "Midnight Express" because he was so fast! He set world records in the 100-yard and 100-meter dashes. He also set Olympic records in the 100-meter and 200-meter races.
Eddie Tolan made history at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He won two gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters. This made him the first non-European-American to be called the "world's fastest human." Later, in 1935, he won the World Professional Sprint Championships. This made him the first person to win both amateur and professional world sprint titles. Throughout his career, Eddie Tolan won an incredible 300 races and only lost 7!
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Early Life of Eddie Tolan
Eddie Tolan was born in Denver, Colorado. He was one of four children. When he was young, his family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. Then, in 1924, when Eddie was 15, they moved to Detroit, Michigan. His father believed there would be better chances for their family in Detroit.
High School Sports at Cass Tech
Eddie went to Cass Technical High School in Detroit. He was a great football player and an amazing sprinter. At Cass Tech, Eddie set state records for the 100-yard and 220-yard dashes. When he was only 16, he helped his school win a national indoor track meet.
He won his first sprint titles in high school as a sophomore. In 1927, he won the 100 and 220-yard dashes at a national championship. Even with all his running success, Eddie loved football the most. He once said that scoring six touchdowns in a football game was his biggest thrill, even more than winning Olympic gold medals!
University of Michigan Track Star
Eddie Tolan was a talented athlete, and many universities wanted him to play football. He chose the University of Michigan. However, he never played on the main football team there. Some stories say it was because of an injury. Other accounts suggest that coaches encouraged him to focus on track instead. Eddie himself said he liked that the track team traveled more, so he could see the country.
Training with Great Coaches
At Michigan, Eddie trained with two very famous coaches. His head coach, Steve Farrell, was known as one of the best professional runners of his time. The assistant coach, Charles B. Hoyt, was considered "America's best sprinter" in 1913. These coaches helped Eddie become even faster.
Setting World Records
In May 1929, Eddie Tolan broke a Big Ten Conference record. He also tied the world record for the 100-yard dash with a time of 9.6 seconds. People often noticed three things about Eddie: his race, his eyeglasses, and his short, strong build. He was one of the first African-American sprinters to achieve such success. He always raced with his eyeglasses taped to his head!
Eddie was about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighed around 130 pounds. He often smiled and chewed gum while running. He found that chewing gum helped him relax and even helped him keep rhythm with his running stride.
In May 1930, Eddie broke the world record again in the 100-yard dash, running it in 9.5 seconds. This was officially recognized as a new world record! Just seven weeks later, he broke the world record for the 100 meters race too. He ran it in 10.2 seconds in Vancouver, Canada. Officials said his run was amazing because he ran slightly uphill!
These world records made Eddie Tolan famous around the world. He became known as the "Midnight Express." In May 1931, he broke the 100 meters world record again, running it in 10.3 seconds. Eddie Tolan graduated from the University of Michigan in 1931.
Olympic Gold Medals in 1932
Before the 1932 Olympics, Eddie Tolan was training hard. Dean Cromwell, a track expert, predicted great things for him. He said Eddie was a "slow starter" but would get faster as the weather warmed up.
The Olympic trials were held at Stanford University. Ralph Metcalfe won both the 100 and 200 meters, with Eddie Tolan finishing second in both. This meant that for the first time, the top two American sprinters at the Olympics would be African-American.
The 100 Meters Race
The 100 meters race at the 1932 Olympics was incredibly close! Eddie Tolan set an Olympic record in an early race with a time of 10.4 seconds. In the final race, a Japanese sprinter, Takayoshi Yoshioka, started very fast. But Eddie passed him at 60 meters. Then, it was a close finish between Eddie and Ralph Metcalfe.
Many people thought Metcalfe had won. But after officials reviewed films from a special camera, they declared Eddie Tolan the winner! Both runners finished in 10.3 seconds, but Eddie's torso crossed the finish line first.
The 200 Meters Race
The 200 meters race was held a few days later. This time, Eddie Tolan won more easily, beating Ralph Metcalfe with a new Olympic record of 21.2 seconds. He stumbled a little near the end but still finished with a clear lead.
With two gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters, Eddie Tolan was officially named the "world's fastest human." He was the first African-American to earn this title. People called him the "spectacled little American Negro" and the "dusky little thunderbolt." It was a huge achievement!
It was also noted that the only other two sprinters to win double gold in these races were also from the University of Michigan: Ralph Craig and Archie Hahn.
Celebrating Eddie's Wins
After his amazing wins, a reporter interviewed Eddie and Ralph in their room. Eddie said he was in the best shape of his life for the 200 meters final. He also promised to give his gold medals to his mother.
Back in Detroit, the mayor and Michigan Governor Wilber M. Brucker planned a big welcome for Eddie. The governor even declared September 6, 1932, "Eddie Tolan Day" across the state! He said Eddie had "brought honor to our commonwealth."
Eddie's mother was very proud. She said she had worked hard for her family. She hoped her sons could find jobs so she could worry less. In 1936, Eddie Tolan was honored at a special event in Detroit called "Champions Day."
Life After the Olympics
After his Olympic wins, Eddie Tolan faced some challenges. He briefly appeared in vaudeville shows with famous dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. They were a good team: Eddie ran fast forwards, and Bill was known for running fast backwards! Because of his vaudeville appearances, Eddie lost his amateur athlete status in 1933.
Professional Running Career
In 1934, Eddie Tolan went to Australia to compete in professional races. He set new Australian records there. In March 1935, he won the 75, 100, and 220-yard events at the World Professional Sprint Championships in Melbourne. This made him the first person to win both amateur and professional world sprint titles.
Eddie Tolan had an amazing career. He won 300 races and only lost 7! His simple rule for running was: "Start fast, run easily, stay in your lane and finish strong."
Later Career and Legacy
After returning from Australia, Eddie Tolan worked in Detroit as a clerk. In 1956, he became a school teacher, teaching physical and health education at Irving Elementary School.
Eddie Tolan never married. In 1965, he had kidney problems and needed regular treatments. He passed away in 1967 at age 58 from heart failure. Jesse Owens, another famous sprinter, paid tribute to Eddie. He said, "When I was in high school, Eddie and Ralph (Metcalfe) were my idols. Eddie and I later became close friends."
Eddie Tolan is buried in Plymouth, Michigan.
Honors and Awards
Eddie Tolan received many honors for his incredible achievements:
- In 1958, he was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. He was one of the first people to receive this honor.
- In 1980, he was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor.
- In 1982, Eddie Tolan was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
He was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
See also
In Spanish: Eddie Tolan para niños
- University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
