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, Sr.
Two-time Olympian (1920, 1924); three-time Olympic medalist (3 golds) Antwerp 1920, gold (single sculls, double sculls) Paris 1924, gold (double sculls)
3
GOLD
0
SILVER
0
BRONZE
Athlete Bio#
Age
Died (Aged 70)
1889-1960
Hometown
Philadelphia, PA
Education
Providence College; Georgetown Law School
Personal
Began rowing with the Chamonix and Montrose Boat clubs of Philadelphia...Won every available sculling title throughout his career, including the world championship in both singles and doubles, as well as Olympic gold medals in singles and doubles...Owned his own construction company...His son, Jack Kelly, Jr., would become an Olympic rower, United States Olympic Committee president and hall of fame member...His daughter, Grace Kelly, would become a Hollywood movie star and Princess Grace of Monaco.Hall Of Fame Bio #
John “Jack” B. Kelly, Sr. is considered one of the best scullers in U.S. history. Kelly dominated sculling competitions, winning the world championship in singles and doubles, the Olympics in singles and doubles, along with numerous national titles. Born in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, Kelly began rowing on the Schuylkill River. He earned three gold medals across the Olympic Games Antwerp 1920 and the Paris 1924 Games, and was the first rower in the sport to accomplish such a feat. Kelly started a successful construction company and became a multimillionaire following his Rowing career. His two children, John Kelly, Jr. and Grace Kelly, also became prominent figures, as Kelly, Jr. was a four-time Olympian in Rowing and became president of the United States Olympic Committee. Kelly, Sr.’s daughter, Grace, became a famous actress and Princess of Monaco. Kelly, Sr. and his son are the only parent-child duo in the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
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