Obit of the Day: “Marvelous Mal”Mal Whitfield knew he wanted to run in the Olympic

Obit of the Day: “Marvelous Mal”Mal Whitfield knew he wanted to run in the Olympic Games after sneaking into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to watch the historic 100m race between Eddie Tolan and Ralph Metcalfe in 1932. Eventually, Mr. Whitfield would earn five Olympic medals, including three golds, and become one of the greatest ambassadors for sports the world has known.After serving in World War II as a member of the Tuskegee Airman, Mr. Whitfield enrolled at The Ohio State University. While in Columbus, he honed his skills and began to dominate as a middle-distance runner, competing in events that ranged in distance from 200 to 1000m.In 1948, Mr. Whitfield traveled to London as part of the U.S. Olympic team, his first-ever international competition. He made his mark, winning a gold medal in the 800m and setting an Olympic record. He also earned gold as the anchor on the 4x400 relay team. For good measure, he took home bronze in the 400m, as well.Returning to the U.S., Mr. Whitfield found himself back in military service, fighting in Korea. He was part of 28 bombing missions during the conflict, serving as a tail gunner. When not in the air he was maintaining his rigorous training schedule, running up and down military runways while carrying his sidearm. It was “the most miserable time of my life,” according to Mr. Whitfield.He returned to the Olympics in 1952, defending his title in the 800m and earning his second gold in the event. In the 4x400m relay, he and his team finished second. He became the first-ever active U.S. serviceman to win gold. Mr. Whitfield’s dominance in the 800m, during this time, was legendary. Between 1948 and 1949 he won 66 of 69 competitions at that distance. His efforts were recognized nationally, earning him the Sullivan Award, given to the top amateur athlete in the United States. He was the first black athlete to win the award.After retiring from running in 1956, Mr. Whitfield would spend the rest of his life as a the world’s greatest ambassador of track and field. He was hired to coach in both Liberia and Nigeria. Eventually he’s work for the U.S. in the Foreign Service as a youth and sports affairs officer. Over 30 years he would spend time teaching and coaching in 130 different countries, including time in every African nation.When he retired from service in 1989, he was invited to the Oval Office by President George H.W. Bush to honor his athletic and diplomatic achievements. That same year Mr. Whitfield founded the Whitfield Foundation which “is dedicated to the promotion of sports, academics, and culture around the globe.”Mal Whitfield, who was elected to both the Track and Field Hall of Fame (1974) and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame (1988), died on November 19, 2015 at the age of 91.Sources: NY Times, Washington Post, The Whitfield FoundationImage of Mal Whitfield on his way to victory in the 800m race at the 1948 London Olympics is courtesy of the Washington Post and copyright of the Associated Press.Other 1948 Olympians featured on Obit of the Day:Alice Coachman - The first black woman to win a gold medal at the OlympicsAnn Curtis - U.S. swimmer who won two gold medals at the gamesMoose Thompson - Gold medal-winning shot putterWalter Walsh - Member of the U.S. pistol team, also the oldest living Marine and FBI agent -- source link

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