Vincent Matthews (athlete) facts for kids
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | December 16, 1947 Queens, New York, United States |
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| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 81 kg (179 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sport | Athletics | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 200 m, 400 m | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | BOHAA Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 200 m – 20.7 (1972) 400 m – 44.66 (1972) |
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Medal record
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Vincent "Vince" Edward Matthews (born December 16, 1947) is an American former sprinter. He won two Olympic gold medals during his career. His victories came at the 1968 Summer Olympics and the 1972 Summer Olympics.
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Vince Matthews' Running Career
Vince Matthews was a top long-distance sprinter in the mid-1960s. He had a strong rivalry with Lee Evans, who also became an Olympic champion. They first competed against each other when they were teenagers. In 1967, Evans often won their races, including at the AAU Championships and the Pan American Games.
In 1968, before the Olympic Trials, Matthews set a new world record in the 400-meter race. His time was 44.4 seconds. However, this record was not officially accepted. This was because he used special "brush spikes" on his running shoes, which were not allowed. At the Olympic Trials, he finished fourth, missing out on a top-three spot.
At the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, Matthews was part of the United States 4 × 400 meter relay team. He ran the first part of the race. The team won a gold medal and set a new world record of 2:56.16. This record stood for 20 years.
The 1972 Olympics
After the 1968 Olympics, Matthews took a break from track and field. He focused on his work and marriage for a year. But he soon started training hard again. He wanted to compete in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
At the 400-meter Olympic Trials, Matthews finished third. This earned him a spot in the Olympic final. In the final race, another runner, John Smith, had to stop early due to an injury. The race then became a close contest between Matthews and his teammate, Wayne Collett. Matthews won the gold medal with a time of 44.66 seconds. Collett finished second.
Medal Ceremony Events
The medal ceremony for the 400-meter race caused some discussion. Matthews and Collett were seen talking and moving around during the playing of the US national anthem. Many people thought this was a protest, similar to what happened in 1968.
News reports described their actions. They stood sideways to the flag and twirled their medals. Their shoulders were slumped, and they did not stand straight or look at the flag. Some people in the crowd whistled and shouted. As they left, Collett raised a clenched fist.
Matthews later explained his actions. He said he and Collett were upset with the US coaching staff. He felt he had been treated unfairly and had to train on his own. He also felt some news reporters had doubted his ability. Matthews stated that their actions were not meant to disrespect the flag or anthem. He said it was a spontaneous reaction to their frustrations. He was sorry if people misunderstood their intentions.
Collett also spoke about the ceremony. He said the national anthem did not mean much to him at that time. He felt he could not honor it because of the challenges faced by African Americans. He wished the country was as good as the anthem described.
Because of their actions, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned both Matthews and Collett from future Olympic competitions. This meant the USA could not enter a team in the 4 × 400 meter relay. This was because they were missing three runners, as John Smith was also injured.
In March 1973, Matthews and Collett were featured on the cover of Track and Field News. The article was titled "All Gold Does Not Glitter."
Personal Life
Vince Matthews is also a talented artist. He creates images by burning them onto wood panels, a technique called pyrography. His artwork has been shown as part of the Art of the Olympians collection.
See also
In Spanish: Vincent Matthews para niños
