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Forrest Custer Smithson (September 26, 1884 – November 25, 1962) was an American athlete, winner of 110 m hurdles at the 1908 Summer Olympics.[1]

Forrest Smithson

Smithson and his running "style".
Personal information
Born	(1884-09-26)September 26, 1884 Portland, Oregon, USA
Died	November 25, 1962(1962-11-25) (aged 78) Contra Costa County, California, USA
Medal record Men's athletics Representing the  United States Olympic Games 1908 London 110 m hurdles

Born in Portland, Oregon, Smithson was a student of theology from Oregon State University and an AAU champion in 1907 and 1909 in the 120 yd (110 m) hurdles.

At London, the main favourites were Smithson's teammates John Garrels and Arthur Shaw who had earlier equaled Alvin Kraenzlein's world record of 15.2 seconds. The 110 m hurdles was not contested on a track as usual, but in a special path in the stadium grass. Only Americans reached the final, which was contested on the last day of the London Games. Smithson defeated Garrels and set a new world record of 15.0 seconds.

Forrest Smithson died in Contra Costa County, California, aged 78.

Bible story

There is a widespread story about Smithson winning the gold medal while carrying a Bible in his left hand (ostensibly to protest against the decision to run the 110 m hurdles final on a Sunday). At first, none of the 110 m hurdles heats nor the final were scheduled or planned to take place on Sunday. The story was not mentioned in the newspapers. This story is based on a picture published in the official report, which was taken during the final.

The fact was that Forrest Smithson was a strong Christian and often ran with a Bible in his hand to point people to the source of his strength and inspiration; his relationship with Jesus Christ.

References

External links

• Forrest Smithson biography and Olympic results at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived); retrieved 2010-02-02.

На других языках

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- [en] Forrest Smithson

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[fr] Forrest Smithson

Forrest Custer Smithson, né le 26 septembre 1884 à Portland et décédé le 24 novembre 1962 dans le Comté de Contra Costa, était un athlète américain qui fut champion olympique du 110 mètres haies en 1908.

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[it] Forrest Smithson

Forrest Custer Smithson (Portland, 26 settembre 1884 – Contea di Contra Costa, 24 novembre 1962) è stato un ostacolista statunitense, campione olimpico dei 110 metri ostacoli ai Giochi olimpici di Londra del 1908.

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[ru] Смитсон, Форрест

Форрест Кастер Смитсон (англ. Forrest Custer Smithson; 26 сентября 1884, Портленд, Орегон — 24 ноября 1962) — американский легкоатлет, чемпион летних Олимпийских игр 1908.

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