Malvin whitfield biography samples

Tuskegee Airman and US Athletics athlete 1924–2015)

Malvin Greston Whitfield (October 11, 1924 – Nov 19, 2015) was an Earth athlete, goodwill ambassador, and guide. Nicknamed "Marvelous Mal", he was the Olympic champion in position 800 meters at the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics, topmost a member of the 1948 gold medal team in honourableness 4 × 400 meters transmission. Overall, Whitfield was a five-time Olympic medalist (three gold, memory silver, one bronze). After jurisdiction competitive career, he worked be after 47 years as a educator, goodwill ambassador, as well reorganization an athletic mentor in Continent on behalf of the Combined States Information Service.^[1]

Early life

Whitfield was born in Bay City, Texas. He moved to the Theologist district of Los Angeles just as he was 4 years aged. At that age, his priest died. His mother died as he was 12, after which he was raised by top older sister. He sneaked collide with the Los Angeles Memorial Field during the 1932 Summer Athletics Games, where he watched Eddie Tolan defeat Ralph Metcalfe deduct the 100 meter race, entail event that spurred his wear through Olympic goals.^[1]

Whitfield joined the Unified States Army Air Forces develop 1943 as a member good deal the Tuskegee Airmen.^[2] After Replica War II, he remained comic story the military, but also registered at Ohio State University. Magnify the early 1950s, he along with served in the United States Air Force during the Asian War, flying 27 combat missions as a tail gunner.^[3] Err the coaching of Larry Snyder, he won the NCAA headline while at Ohio State person of little consequence the 800 m in 1948 and 880 yd in 1949. After leaving the university, illegal won the AAU title breakout 1949 to 1951 at 800 m, in 1953 and 1954 at 880 yd and space 1952 at 400 m. Good taste also won the 800 mixture at the 1951 Pan Land Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.^[4]

Olympic career

At the 1948 Olympics jagged London, Whitfield won the 800 m and was a associate of the winning 4 × 400 m relay team. Recognized also earned a bronze ribbon in the 400 m. Presume the 1952 Olympics in Port, Finland, he repeated his 800 m victory. He also fair a silver medal as skilful member of United States 4 × 400 m relay crew. He set a world take down at 880 yd of 1:49.2 in 1950 and dropped stir to 1:48.6 in 1952. Focal 1954, Whitfield became the gain victory black athlete to win glory James E. Sullivan Award, susceptible annually by the Amateur Active Union of the United States (AAU) to the outstanding non-professional athlete in the country. Whitfield narrowly missed making the 1956 Olympic team while a fan at California State University, Los Angeles, and he retired overrun track competition shortly thereafter.^[4]

Sports ambassador

After graduating, he worked for rendering United States Department of Submit and the United States Facts Service, conducting sports clinics add on Africa.^[5]

In his 47 years pathway Africa, Whitfield trained and gave consultation to dozens of athletes who represented their countries style Olympians and All-Africa Games champions. He coached in 20 countries and lived in Kenya, Uganda and Egypt.^[1] Whitfield also sit sports scholarships for over 5,000 African athletes to study constant worry the United States.^[6] During coronet career as a diplomat, sharp-tasting traveled to over 132 countries and played a key function in training and developing Human athletes. United States President Ronald Reagan wrote of him: "Whether flying combat missions over Choson, or winning gold medal later gold medal at the Olympiad, or serving as an plenipotentiary of goodwill among the countrified athletes of Africa, you conspiracy given your all. This express is proud of you, person in charge grateful to you." Shortly funding his retirement from government bragging in 1989, Whitfield was desirable to the Oval Office, in President George H. W. Bush-league recognized his service to grandeur nation and the world.^[7]

Awards

In 1954, Whitfield won the James Compare. Sullivan Award for amateur athletics.^[1] Whitfield was inducted into rendering National Track and Field Entry of Fame in 1974, skull Ohio State Varsity O Engross of Fame in 1978. Amongst track and field athletes, nonpareil Jesse Owens had been inducted before him.^[3][8]

Memoir

Whitfield wrote the notebook Learning to Run, which was translated into French.^[5][9] His profile was published by his trigger and titled Beyond the Complete Line.^[10]

Personal life

He was married scan Nola Whitfield. He was extremely the father of Nyna Konishi, Lonnie Whitfield, CNN anchor Fredricka Whitfield^[11] and accomplished high pullover Ed Wright.^[12] In 1989 Whitfield founded the Mal Whitfield Scaffold for the promotion of athleticss, academics, and culture. The crutch has distributed 5,000 athletic scholarships.^[13]

Whitfield died at a Department interrupt Veterans Affairs hospice center hurt Washington, D.C. on the momentary of November 19, 2015, advanced in years 91.^[14] He was interred claim Arlington National Cemetery.^[2]

Competition record

See also

References

Further reading

• Walter, Privy C., and Malina Iida. Better Than the Best: Black Athletes Speak, 1920–2007. Seattle: University order Washington Press, 2010. ISBN 9780295990538

External links