Harry Williamson (athlete)

Harry Webb Williamson (11 July 1913 – 8 April 2000)[1] was an American middle-distance runner. Originally viewed more as a miler, he made the Olympic final at 800 meters in 1936.

Career

Williamson, representing the North Carolina Tar Heels, was the 1934 Southern Conference champion at both 880 yards and the mile.[2] At the NCAA championships he placed fourth in the mile;[2][3] as an upcoming talent, he was viewed as one of America's brightest hopes for the 1936 Summer Olympics.[2] In 1935 he placed second in the NCAA championship mile, losing by inches to Emporia State's Archie San Romani as both were timed in 4:19.1.[3][4]

At the 1936 Olympic Trials, however, Williamson opted for the 800 meters. He was up against world record holder and world leader Ben Eastman, NCAA and national champion Charles Beetham, returning Olympian Chuck Hornbostel and the eventual Olympic champion, John Woodruff.[5][6] Woodruff ran a very fast 1:49.9 in the semi-finals and was followed home by Abraham Rosenkrantz and Eastman;[5][7] Williamson qualified as third from the other, slower semi-final, won by Ross Bush.[5] In the final, Williamson and Bush led the way for the first lap.[5] Early in the second lap, Beetham collided with Marmaduke Hobbs, losing his chances;[5][7] at almost exactly the same time, Rosenkrantz moved to the front. He was then passed by Woodruff and Hornbostel.[5] Williamson closed with a fast sprint; while he failed to catch Woodruff or Hornbostel, he overtook Rosenkrantz at the very end, clinching the third and final Olympic spot in a time of 1:51.4.[5][7]

At the Olympics in Berlin Williamson won his heat.[1] He also won in his semi-final, making his move in the backstretch to pass 1932 bronze medalist Phil Edwards of Canada.[8] In the final he finished sixth.[1]

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References
  1. "Harry Williamson Bio, Stats and Results". Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  2. "New 1500-Meter Champion May Be Crowned Tonight". The Pittsburgh Press. 5 January 1935. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  3. Hill, E. Garry. "1500m/MILE" (PDF). Track & Field News. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  4. "Emporia Runner Takes NCAA Mile". Lawrence Journal-World. 24 June 1935. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  5. Hymans, Richard. "The History of the United States Olympic Trials - Track & Field". USA Track & Field; Track & Field News. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  6. "Jesse Owens, Negro Star, In Spotlight". The Evening Independent. 11 July 1936. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  7. "Negro Athletes Set New Marks In Final Trials". St. Petersburg Times. 13 July 1936. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  8. "OWENS WINS". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 3 August 1936. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
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