Matt McGrath
(IOC)
Updated: 2007-07-26 20:50
Stockholm July 1912, Games of the V Olympiad. Men's athletics, hammer throw: Matthew MCGRATH of the United States (1st) throwing the hammer. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum Collections
Other names: MAC GRATH, Matthew
Born: 18 December 1878
Deceased: 29 January 1941
Birthplace: Nenagh (United States)
Nationality: United States
Sport: Athletics
Tug of War
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
London 1908
Stockholm 1912
Antwerp 1920
Paris 1924
AWARDS
Olympic medals:
Gold: 1
Silver: 2
Overwhelming Hammer Winner
An Irish-American policeman, Matt McGrath first competed in the Olympic hammer throw event in 1908. At the time, he was the reigning world record holder. But, at the London Games, he was beaten by another Irish-American policeman, two-time defending Olympic champion John Flanagan. However, at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, McGrath overwhelmed his opponents. The shortest of his six throws was 4.45m longer than anyone else's longest throw. McGrath's Olympic record held up for 24 years. In 1920, McGrath tried to defend his title, but injured his knee and had to withdraw after his second throw. He still managed to finish fifth. In 1924, McGrath returned to the Olympics and earned the silver medal ... at the age of 45.
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