George R. Gray | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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George R. Gray

George R. Gray, track and field athlete (b at Coldwater, Canada W 4 May 1865; d at Sault Ste Marie, Ont 7 Jan 1933). After high school he competed for 17 years at his specialty, putting the shot, without being defeated.

Gray, George R.

George R. Gray, track and field athlete (b at Coldwater, Canada W 4 May 1865; d at Sault Ste Marie, Ont 7 Jan 1933). After high school he competed for 17 years at his specialty, putting the shot, without being defeated. At age 20 in 1885, at the Canadian Amateur Athletic Assn meet in Toronto, he defeated champions from other countries with his first put of 41´ 5.5´ (12.64 m) and was acclaimed world champion. From 1887 he competed for the famous NY Athletic Club, which paid his expenses, while continuing his Canadian career in the lumber business. He held and broke the world shotput record several times, competing throughout N America and in Britain. By retirement he had won 188 first-place medals and trophies.