Mal Whitfield facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mal Whitfield

Whitfield in 1998
Personal information
Birth name	Malvin Greston Whitfield
Nickname(s)	Marvelous Mal
Born	(1924-10-11)October 11, 1924 Bay City, Texas, U.S.
Died	November 19, 2015(2015-11-19) (aged 91) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	168 lb (76 kg)
Sport
Sport	Track and field
Event(s)	400 metres, 800 metres
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	400 m: 45.9 (1953) 800 m: 1:47.9 (1953)
Medal record Men's athletics Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1948 London 800 metres Gold 1948 London 4x400 m relay Gold 1952 Helsinki 800 metres Silver 1952 Helsinki 4x400 m relay Bronze 1948 London 400 metres Pan American Games Gold 1951 Buenos Aires 400 metres Gold 1951 Buenos Aires 800 metres Gold 1951 Buenos Aires 4x400 m relay

Malvin Greston Whitfield (born October 11, 1924 – died November 19, 2015) was an amazing American athlete. People called him "Marvelous Mal" because he was so good! He was an Olympic champion in the 800 meters race in both 1948 and 1952. He also helped his team win a gold medal in the 4x400 meters relay race in 1948.

Mal Whitfield won five Olympic medals in total: three gold, one silver, and one bronze. After he stopped competing, he spent 47 years working as a coach and a special helper in Africa. He helped many young athletes there on behalf of the United States.

Mal's Early Life and Dreams

Mal Whitfield was born in Bay City, Texas. When he was four, he moved to Watts in Los Angeles. Sadly, his father passed away when he was four, and his mother passed away when he was 12. After that, his older sister raised him.

When he was young, Mal snuck into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum during the 1932 Summer Olympics. He watched a race where Eddie Tolan won the 100-meter race. This moment made him dream of becoming an Olympian himself!

Joining the Military and College

In 1943, Mal joined the United States Army Air Forces. He was part of a special group called the Tuskegee Airmen. These were the first African-American military pilots and airmen in the U.S. armed forces.

After World War II, he stayed in the military but also went to Ohio State University. In the early 1950s, he served again during the Korean War, flying 27 missions. He was a tail gunner, which meant he operated a gun at the back of the plane.

While at Ohio State, his coach was Larry Snyder. Mal won big titles like the NCAA 800m race in 1948. After college, he kept winning, taking home titles from the AAU in the 800m and 400m races. He also won the 800m at the 1951 Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Mal's Amazing Olympic Career

Whitfield at the 1948 Summer Olympics

At the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, Mal Whitfield was a star! He won the gold medal in the 800 meters race. He also helped his team win a gold medal in the 4x400 meters relay. Plus, he earned a bronze medal in the 400 meters race.

At the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, he won the 800 meters race again, earning another gold medal! He also won a silver medal with the U.S. 4x400 meters relay team.

In 1950, Mal set a world record for the 880 yards race, finishing in 1 minute and 49.2 seconds. He broke his own record in 1952, running it in 1 minute and 48.6 seconds!

In 1954, Mal Whitfield made history again. He became the first black athlete to win the James E. Sullivan Award. This award is given to the best amateur athlete in the United States each year. Mal almost made the 1956 Olympic team but decided to stop competing in track soon after.

A Sports Ambassador for the World

After he finished college, Mal Whitfield started working for the United States government. He worked for the United States Department of State and the United States Information Service. His job was to travel to Africa and teach sports clinics.

For 47 years, Mal lived and worked in Africa. He coached and advised many athletes who went on to represent their countries in the Olympics and other big games. He coached in 20 different countries, living in places like Kenya, Uganda, and Egypt.

Mal also helped over 5,000 African athletes get sports scholarships to study in the United States. He traveled to more than 132 countries, helping to train and develop athletes.

United States President Ronald Reagan once wrote about him: "Whether flying combat missions over Korea, or winning gold medal after gold medal at the Olympics, or serving as an ambassador of goodwill among the young athletes of Africa, you have given your all. This country is proud of you, and grateful to you."

After he retired from government service in 1989, President George H. W. Bush invited Mal to the White House. The President thanked him for his amazing service to the nation and the world.

Awards and Recognition

Mal Whitfield received many honors for his achievements.

• In 1954, he won the James E. Sullivan Award for being the top amateur athlete.
• In 1974, he was added to the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
• In 1978, he was inducted into the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame. Only Jesse Owens, another famous athlete, had been inducted before him in track and field.

Mal's Books

Mal Whitfield wrote a book called Learning to Run, which was even translated into French. He also wrote his life story, called Beyond the Finish Line, which was published by his own foundation.

Mal's Family and Legacy

Mal Whitfield was married to Nola Whitfield. He had several children, including Nyna Konishi, Lonnie Whitfield, CNN news anchor Fredricka Whitfield, and high jumper Ed Wright.

In 1989, Mal started the Mal Whitfield Foundation. This foundation helps promote sports, education, and culture. It has given out 5,000 athletic scholarships to help young people pursue their dreams.

Mal Whitfield passed away on November 19, 2015, in Washington, D.C., at the age of 91. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, a special place where many heroes are laid to rest.

Competition Record

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing  United States
1948	Olympics	London, United Kingdom	3rd	400 m	46.9

See also

• Dogfights (TV series)
• Executive Order 9981
• List of Tuskegee Airmen
• Military history of African Americans
• The Tuskegee Airmen (movie)