Ray Ewry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ray Ewry

Ray Ewry at the 1908 Olympics
Personal information
Born	(1873-10-14)October 14, 1873 Lafayette, Indiana, United States
Died	September 29, 1937(1937-09-29) (aged 63) Long Island, New York, United States
Alma mater	Purdue University
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	79 kg (174 lb)
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	standing high, long, and triple jump
Club	Purdue Boilermakers, West Lafayette, Indiana; NYAC, New York
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	sHJ – 1.675 m (1900) sLJ – 3.47 m (1904) sTJ – 10.86 m (1901)
Medal record Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1900 Paris Standing long jump Gold 1900 Paris Standing high jump Gold 1900 Paris Standing triple jump Gold 1904 St. Louis Standing long jump Gold 1904 St. Louis Standing high jump Gold 1904 St. Louis Standing triple jump Gold 1908 London Standing long jump Gold 1908 London Standing high jump Intercalated Games Gold 1906 Athens Standing long jump Gold 1906 Athens Standing high jump

Raymond "Ray" Clarence Ewry (born October 14, 1873 – died September 29, 1937) was an amazing American track and field athlete. He won eight gold medals at the Olympic Games. He also won two gold medals at the Intercalated Games in 1906. This makes him one of the most successful Olympic athletes ever!

Ray Ewry's Early Life and Journey

Ray Ewry was born in Lafayette, Indiana. When he was a young boy, he got a serious illness called polio. This illness affected his muscles. For a while, he even had to use a wheelchair. Doctors worried he might be paralyzed forever.

But Ray was very determined. He did his own special exercises. Slowly, he got better and overcame his illness. He went to Purdue University from 1890 to 1897. There, he was the captain of the track and field team. He also played American football. After college, he became an engineer in New York. He joined the New York Athletic Club. Ray became an expert in special jumping events. These were called the standing jumps.

What Were Standing Jumps?

Standing jumps were different from regular jumps today.

• The standing high jump was like the high jump, but without a running start.
• The standing long jump was like the long jump, but you jumped from a standing position.
• The standing triple jump was similar, but you did three jumps from a standing start.

These events are not part of the Olympics anymore.

Ray Ewry's Amazing Olympic Career

Ray Ewry quickly became the best standing jumper in the world. He competed in his first Olympic Games in Paris in 1900. He won gold medals in all three standing jump events. All three of these finals happened on the same day, July 16!

At the 1904 Summer Olympics, Ray won all three of his gold medals again. After these Games, the standing triple jump was no longer an Olympic event. But Ray kept winning in the two remaining standing jumps. He won gold at the 1906 Intercalated Games and the 1908 Games. This brought his total to 10 Olympic gold medals. This was the highest number until 2008!

Ray's Records and Recognition

The 1906 Intercalated Games are not officially recognized by the IOC today. Even without those two medals, Ray Ewry is still one of the most successful Olympians ever. He holds many records for individual gold medals. The standing jump events were removed from the Olympics after 1912.

Ray's skill was incredible. His world record in the standing long jump was 3.47 meters (11 feet, 5 inches). This record stood until the event was stopped internationally in the 1930s. Ray Ewry was honored for his achievements. In 1974, he was added to the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. In 1983, he joined the United States Olympic Hall of Fame.

Ray Ewry's Long-Lasting Olympic Records

Ray Ewry set some amazing records that lasted for a very long time.

Most Individual Gold Medals

Ray won eight Olympic gold medals in individual events. This means he won them all by himself, not as part of a team relay. This record stood for over 100 years! It was only broken in 2008 by Michael Phelps, who won 13 individual golds.

Winning Gold in the Same Event Three Times

Ray Ewry was the first athlete to win three gold medals in one event. He did this in both the standing long jump and the standing high jump. This record was not broken for 60 years! In 1968, Al Oerter won his fourth gold medal in the discus throw. Other athletes like Carl Lewis (long jump), Michael Phelps (200-meter individual medley), and Kaori Icho (women's wrestling) have also won four golds in one event.

Winning Gold in Two Events Three Times

Ray also set a record by winning three gold medals in two different events. He did this in the standing long jump and the standing high jump in 1908. This record lasted for 108 years! In 2016, Michael Phelps became the first to win three gold medals in three different events.

Ray Ewry still holds a special record today. He has the most Olympic medals with a 100% winning record. He won 8 individual gold medals and never lost!

See also

In Spanish: Raymond Clarence Ewry para niños