Frank Jarvis (athlete) facts for kids
 |
||
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's athletics | ||
Representing the  United States |
||
| Olympic Games | ||
| Gold | 1900 Paris | 100 metres |
Frank Washington Jarvis (born August 31, 1878, in California, Pennsylvania; died June 2, 1933, in Sewickley, Pennsylvania) was an American athlete. He became famous for winning the 100-meter race at the 1900 Olympic Games.
Contents
Frank Jarvis: An Olympic Champion
Frank Jarvis was a talented American runner. Before the 1900 Olympic Games, he was already a champion in the 100-yard dash. This title came from the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), a big sports organization in the United States.
The 1900 Paris Olympics
The 1900 Summer Olympics were held in Paris, France. Frank Jarvis was one of the top athletes expected to do well in the 100-meter sprint. Another American, Arthur Duffey, was considered the strongest favorite. Duffey had just won the British Championships, showing he was in great form.
Setting Records in the Heats
During the first rounds of the 100-meter race, called the heats, Jarvis showed his speed. He and another American runner, Walter Tewksbury, both ran the 100 meters in 10.8 seconds. This time was very fast and equaled the existing world record!
All three American runners—Jarvis, Tewksbury, and Duffey—made it to the final race. They were joined by Stan Rowley from Australia.
The Exciting 100-Meter Final
The final race was very close at the start. Arthur Duffey, the favorite, was leading. But then, something unexpected happened. Duffey pulled a muscle, fell, and had to stop running.
This left Jarvis, Tewksbury, and Rowley to compete for the gold medal. Frank Jarvis pushed hard and won the race, becoming the Olympic champion!
Other Olympic Events
At the same Olympics, Frank Jarvis also competed in other events. He took part in the triple jump and the standing triple jump. In the standing triple jump, athletes jump without taking a running start. Jarvis did not win medals in these events.
Life After Running
After his successful running career, Frank Jarvis chose a different path. He went on to become a lawyer.
See also
In Spanish: Frank Jarvis para niños
- List of Princeton University Olympians
