Athletes - John B. Kelly, Jr.

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	Athletes - John B. Kelly, Jr.

John B. Kelly, Jr. (May 24, 1927, Philadelphia—1985), also known as Jack Kelly, was an accomplished oarsman. He was also the brother of Princess Grace Kelly, the son of triple Olympic gold medal winner John B. Kelly, Sr., and a City Counselman for Philadelphia.

Background and History

Jack Kelly represented the United States at the 1948 Summer Olympics at London, England, the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland and the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia in rowing in the single scull (1x). And he represented the United States in the double scull (2x) at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. Kelly won a bronze medal at the 1956 Games. He also won the gold medal at the 1955 Pan American Games in Mexico City.

Kelly is best known, not for his own accomplishments, but for his family and how his accomplishments relate to them.

Kelly is the son of John B. Kelly, Sr. who won 2 gold medals at the 1920 Summer Olympics, capturing both the single scull (1x) and the double scull (2x). The senior Kelly repeated his victory in the double scull at the 1924 Summer Olympics. In 1920, despite his accomplishments as an oarsman, the senior Kelly entry was rejected at the most prestigious rowing event in the world, the Henley Royal Regatta. No explanation was given by the regatta, but the popular explanation was he was not gentile enough because he worked with his hands as a bricklayer.

In 1947 the junior Kelly extracted revenge by winning the Diamond Challenge Scull (single scull) at the Henley, the event to which his father had been denied entrance. Kelly was awarded the 1947 James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States for his achievement. Kelly repeated his victory at Henley in 1949.

Kelly is also well-known as the brother of Grace Kelly, movie star and Princess of Monaco. His uncle George Kelly was a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright.

Kelly was actively involved in politics and was elected as a councilman in Philadelphia, and Philadelphia named a street after him.

Kelly was elected president of the United States Olympic Committee in 1985. The appointment was short-lived. Kelly died unexpectedly later that year. Kelly was post-humously inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame as a contributor.

Achievements and Awards

Diamond Scull, Henley Royal Regatta, 1947 and 1949
Sullivan Award Winner 1947
Member US Olympic team 1948, 1952, 1956 and 1960
Gold Medal, 1955 Pan American Games, single scull
Bronze Medal, 1956 Olympics, single scull
Member US rowing Hall of Fame, elected 1956
Manager for the 1964 Olympic Gold Medal eight man boat
City Council man, Philadelphia, PA
President of the United States Olympic Committee.
United States Olympic Hall of Fame, as a contributor

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for John B. Kelly, Jr. ]

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