Barney Ewell biography

 Barney Ewell biography

Barney Ewell, byname of Norwood H. Ewell, (born Feb. 25, 1918, Harrisburg, Pa., U.S.—died April 4, 1996, Lancaster, Pa.), American athlete, one of many world’s main sprinters of the Forties. Although he was believed to be previous his prime when the Olympic Games had been resumed after World War II, he received three medals on the age of 30 on the 1948 Olympics in London.

Ewell first achieved renown whereas a scholar at Pennsylvania State University, operating the 100- and 200-metre races and profitable 12 gold medals and championships in collegiate meets between 1940 and 1942; he additionally received 11 gold medals in Amateur Athletic Union nationwide meets between 1939 and 1948. He was an impressive lengthy jumper as nicely, leaping 25 toes 2 inches (7.68 m) in 1942. He served within the U.S. Army throughout World War II.

During the trials for the 1948 Olympics, Ewell tied the world report of 10.2 seconds within the 100-metre sprint. At the Games themselves, Ewell received two particular person silver medals. He got here from behind to complete a detailed second within the 100-metre sprint; he then led for many of the 200-metre sprint, solely to fall again within the residence stretch. He led off the U.S. workforce that simply received the 400-metre relay, however the victory was initially dominated void as a result of Ewell appeared handy the baton to a teammate exterior the passing zone; after viewing a movie of the race, nevertheless, officers reversed the ruling, giving the Americans the gold medal.