Lee Calhoun facts for kids
Lee Quincy Calhoun was an amazing American athlete who became famous for winning two gold medals in the 110-meter hurdles at the Olympic Games. He was a true champion, known for his speed and clever techniques on the track.
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Athletics | ||
Representing  United States |
||
| Olympic Games | ||
| Gold | 1956 Melbourne | 110 m Hurdles |
| Gold | 1960 Rome | 110 m Hurdles |
Contents
Lee Calhoun's Life and Career
Early Life and College Success
Lee Calhoun was born in Laurel, Mississippi, on February 23, 1933. He became a talented athlete. While studying at North Carolina Central University, he showed great skill in hurdling.
He won the 120-yard hurdles at the NCAA championships in both 1956 and 1957. He also won the 110-meter hurdles at the AAU championships in 1956 and 1959. These wins proved he was one of the best hurdlers in the country.
Olympic Gold in 1956
At the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, Lee Calhoun surprised everyone. He ran the 110-meter hurdles final much faster than he ever had before. He finished the race in 13.5 seconds.
He won the gold medal by just a tiny bit. He edged out his teammate, Jack Davis, by leaning his shoulder across the finish line first. Lee had actually learned this clever move from Jack Davis himself!
A Comeback for 1960 Olympics
In 1958, Lee Calhoun faced a temporary ban from competing. This was because he had accepted gifts on a television game show called Bride and Groom. Accepting gifts was against the rules for amateur athletes at that time.
After this, some people thought he might not be as good as he used to be. However, Lee worked hard and proved them wrong. Shortly before the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy, he tied the world record for the 110-meter hurdles, running it in 13.2 seconds.
Second Olympic Gold
Lee Calhoun went to the Rome Olympics as a top favorite. In the final race, he once again showed his amazing talent. He won his second gold medal in the 110-meter hurdles.
He finished in 13.98 seconds, beating his teammate Willie May by just 0.01 seconds. This was another incredibly close finish, showing his determination and skill.
Life After Competition
After he stopped competing, Lee Calhoun became a college track coach. He coached at Grambling State University, then at Yale, and later at Western Illinois University. He also helped coach the U.S. Olympic team at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
In 1974, Lee Calhoun was honored for his amazing career. He was elected to the United States National Track and Field Hall of Fame. Lee Calhoun passed away in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1989, at the age of 56.
See also
In Spanish: Lee Calhoun para niños
