Mel Patton facts for kids

Patton (left) with coach Dean Cromwell in 1948
Quick facts for kids Personal information
Born	November 16, 1924 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	May 9, 2014 (aged 89) Fallbrook, California, U.S.
Height	185 cm
Weight	72 kg
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	Sprint
Club	USC Trojans
Coached by	Dean Cromwell
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	100 y - 9.2 (1948) World record 100 m – 10.44 (1948) 200 m – 20.7 (1948) 200 y 20.2 (1949) World record
Medal record Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1948 London 200 m Gold 1948 London 4×100 m relay

Melvin Emery Patton (born November 16, 1924 – died May 9, 2014) was a super-fast American runner, also known as a sprinter. He was so quick that he set a world record in 1948 for the 100-yard dash, finishing it in an amazing 9.2 seconds! He also set another world record in 1949 for the 220-yard dash, running it in 20.2 seconds. This broke the old record held by the famous athlete Jesse Owens.

Patton won two shiny gold medals at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. He was known as the best in the world for both the 100-meter and 200-meter races in 1947 and 1949.

Mel Patton's Early Life and Training

Melvin Patton was born in Los Angeles, California. People sometimes called him Pell Mell because of how fast he ran! He became a star in track and field while studying at the University of Southern California. There, he was coached by Dean Cromwell, a very well-known coach. Before college, Mel went to University High School in Los Angeles.

Becoming a Champion Sprinter

Patton was a champion in college. He won the NCAA 100-yard dash in 1947. In 1948 and 1949, he won both the 100-yard and 220-yard sprint races at the same NCAA meet. In 1947, he tied the 100-yard dash world record with a time of 9.4 seconds. The next year, he broke his own record, running it in 9.3 seconds. In 1949, he set a new world record for the 220-yard dash on a straight track, finishing in 20.2 seconds. This beat the record previously held by the legendary Jesse Owens.

Olympic Challenges and Triumphs

Before the 1948 Summer Olympics, Mel Patton had a rare loss to another runner, Barney Ewell, in the 100-meter final during the Olympic Trials. Then, at the Olympics, he finished fifth in the 100-meter race, which was a bit disappointing for him.

Mel Patton on TIME magazine cover in 1948

But Mel didn't give up! He made up for it by winning two gold medals. He won gold in the 200-meter race and another gold as part of the 4 × 100-meter relay team. This showed everyone his amazing speed and determination.

Life After Racing

After he stopped competing, Mel Patton raced professionally a few times in Australia. He then became a teacher and a coach for athletics at Long Beach City College and Wichita State University. Later, he worked as an executive in companies that made things for airplanes and electronics.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy as a sailor and aviator. In the 1970s, Mel helped create a national sports program in Saudi Arabia. He was recognized for his amazing career when he was added to the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1985. Mel Patton passed away in Fallbrook, California on May 9, 2014. He was married to Shirley and had two children, Susan and Gary.

Competition Record

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing  United States
1948	Olympics	London, England	5th	100 m
1948	Olympics	London, England	1st	200 m	21.1

Images for kids

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  Mel Patton with his family on January 18, 1949

See also

In Spanish: Mel Patton para niños