Barney Ewell

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Olympic medal record
Men's athletics
Gold	1948 London	4x100 m relay
Silver	1948 London	100 metres
Silver	1948 London	200 metres

Harold Norwood "Barney" Ewell (February 25, 1918 - April 4, 1996) was an American athlete, winner of one gold and two silver medals at the 1948 Summer Olympics.

Born into poverty in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Barney Ewell was one of the world's leading sprinters of the 1940s. Mr. Ewell attended J. Piersol McCaskey Highschool in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. McCaskey Highschool honored Mr. Ewell by dedicating their stadium in his name.

He was the state's greatest high school sprinter-jumper in the mid-1930s, but he first achieved renown while a student at Pennsylvania State University, running the 100 m and 200 m races and winning 12 gold medals and championships in collegiate meets between 1940 and 1942. He also won 11 gold medals in AAU national meets between 1939 and 1948. He was an outstanding long jumper as well, leaping 25 feet 2 inches (7.68 m) in 1942.

He served his country during the years 1941 - 1945, returned to the university and received his B.S. degree in 1947. He surprised everyone by making the 1948 Olympic team, equalling he world record of 10.2 in the 100 m dash at the 1948 AAU championship, which was also the Olympic trials.

At the Olympic Games in London, he thought he had won 100 m only to learn the victory was given to teammmate Harrison Dillard. In the 200 m, Ewell had another close finish and again finished second - this time to teammate Mel Patton. He was added to the 4 x 100 m relay when Ed Conwell became sick and the American team rolled to an easy victory. However, the exchange between Ewell and Lorenzo Wright was ruled out of the zone and the Americans was disqualified. After viewing a film of the race, however, officials reversed the ruling, and Barney Ewell finally had his Olympic gold medal.

Barney Ewell died in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Olympic champions in men's 4×100 m relay
1912 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004
1948 United States Barney Ewell, Lorenzo Wright, Harrison Dillard & Mel Patton