In Rowing, Men’s Four Wins First Olympic Gold Medal Since 1960
The last time a U.S. crew in the coxless men’s four stood atop the podium, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president.
Jack Kelly, Jr.
Four-time Olympian (1948, 1952, 1956, 1960); Olympic medalist (1 bronze) London 1948, (single sculls) Helsinki 1952, (single sculls) Melbourne 1956, bronze (single sculls) Rome 1960, (single sculls) United States Olympic Committee President 1985
0
GOLD
0
SILVER
1
BRONZE
Athlete Bio#
Age
Died (Aged 57)
1927-1985
Hometown
Philadelphia, PA
Education
William Penn Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.) University of Pennsylvania
Personal
Won the James E. Sullivan Award for the nation’s most outstanding amateur athlete in 1947...Varsity rower at the University of Pennsylvania...Four-time Olympian and winner of the bronze medal in single skulls at the Olympic Games Melbourne 1956...Elected as president of the Metropolitan Amateur Athletic Union...Served as president of the United States Olympic Committee...Father to six children.Hall Of Fame Bio #
John B. “Jack” Kelly, Jr. was an American Olympic rower like his father, Jack Kelly, Sr. and also served as president of the United States Olympic Committee. He was born in Philadelphia, and attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a varsity rower. Kelly participated in four Olympic Games between 1948 and 1960, earning the bronze medal in single sculls at the Olympic Games Melbourne 1956. He also won the 1949 and 1950 Diamond Sculls at the Royal Henley Regatta, as well as five national championships, a gold medal at the 1955 Pan American Games and a number of Canadian, Swiss and European championships. Outside of his rowing career, Kelly was active in serving the Olympic and Paralympic movements and amateur athletes, working as president of the Metropolitan Amateur Athletic Union and president of the USOC, beginning in 1985. He also went into his father’s bricklaying business and served as president and director of the Philadelphia Athletic Club, as well as director of the Pennsylvania Ballet. He was active in many philanthropic and civic agencies, and sought out more events for female athletes during his tenure as USOC president. Kelly passed away in 1985 after suffering a fatal heart attack during a morning run in Philadelphia.
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