Athletes - Paul Pilgrim

Home > Listing Index > Athletes > Paul Pilgrim

	Athletes - Paul Pilgrim

Paul Henry Pilgrim (October 26, 1883 - January 8, 1958) was an American athlete, winner of three gold medals at the 1904 and 1906 Summer Olympics.

Although a gold medal winner of 4 miles team race at St. Louis Olympics, Paul Pilgrim was virtually unknown until the "intercalated" Olympics of 1906.

At St. Louis, Pilgrim competed in 400 m and 800 m runs, but didn't achieve any success. He finished sixth in a four mile run, therefore aiding his club (New York Athletic Club) to win a gold.

At Athens, Pilgrim was an 11th-hour addition to the team. He travelled to Athens by his own hand, therefore missing the great wave, that washed over the deck of the ship in Gibraltar, on which the rest of the US Olympic Team travelled. The wave injured about half-dozen athletes aboard the deck, including Harry Hillman, a big favourite in 400 m.

In 400 m, Pilgrim was third before the final straight, but managed to pass Wyndham Halswelle of Great Britain and Nigel Barker of Australia to win in time of 53.2. In 800 m, to everyone's surprise, Pilgrim passed a big favourite James Lightbody on a final lap and won a close competition by 2 feet.

At 1908 Summer Olympics in London Pilgrim didn't made to the semi-finals and he never won a major competition again. He worked the rest of his career at NYAC, where one of his medals is on display.

Pilgrim, Paul Pilgrim, Paul Pilgrim, Paul Pilgrim, Paul

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Paul Pilgrim ]

This page is based on the copyrighted Wikipedia article Paul Pilgrim; it is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL.

Searches on eBay