Ralph Craig facts for kids
Ralph Craig c. 1912
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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| Born | June 21, 1889 Detroit, Michigan, United States |
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| Died | July 21, 1972 (aged 83) Lake George, New York, United States |
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| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | |||||||||||||
| Weight | 73 kg (161 lb) | |||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||
| Sport | Sprint running | |||||||||||||
| Club | Detroit Athletic Club | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Ralph Cook Craig (born June 21, 1889 – died July 21, 1972) was an American track and field athlete. He was famous for winning two gold medals in sprinting at the 1912 Summer Olympics.
Contents
Early Days in Sports
Ralph Craig started his sports journey in high school. He first competed in hurdling at Detroit Central High School. Later, when he went to the University of Michigan, he became a sprinter.
Setting Records
Ralph quickly became a top sprinter. In 1910, he won the IC4A 220-yard championship. He won this race again the next year. In May 1911, in his last competition for Michigan, he helped his team finish third. He also tied two big records that day. He ran the 100-yard dash in 9.8 seconds. He also tied the world record for the 220-yard dash with a time of 21.2 seconds.
Olympic Glory in 1912
In 1912, Ralph Craig earned a spot on the US Olympic team. He traveled to Sweden for the 1912 Summer Olympics. There, he competed in the 100-meter and 200-meter sprint races.
The 100-Meter Race
The 100-meter final was very exciting. Many people thought his teammate, Donald Lippincott, would win. Lippincott had even set a new world record in an earlier race. The start of the final was tricky, with many false starts. But Ralph Craig stayed focused and won the race in 10.8 seconds. Lippincott finished third.
Winning the 200-Meter Race
Ralph Craig and Donald Lippincott faced each other again in the 200-meter race. Ralph managed to beat Lippincott once more. This win earned him his second Olympic gold medal. The American 4 × 100-meter relay team was disqualified, so Ralph did not compete in that event.
Life After the Olympics
Right after the 1912 Olympics, Ralph Craig decided to stop competing in track and field. His younger brother, James B. Craig, also ran track at Michigan. James was also a star football player for the Michigan Wolverines football team.
A Return to the Olympics
Many years later, in 1948, Ralph Craig made a special return to the Olympics. He was 59 years old at the time. He went to the games in London as an alternate for the US yachting team. Even though he didn't compete, he had the honor of carrying the American flag at the opening ceremonies.
Later Life and Recognition
For many years, Ralph Craig worked as an administrator. He helped people at the New York State Unemployment Bureau. He passed away in Lake George, New York. In 2010, he was honored for his amazing achievements. He was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
See also
In Spanish: Ralph Craig para niños
