James Lincoln (athlete)

James Claiborne Lincoln, Jr. (August 17, 1889 – February 22, 1952)[1] was an American track and field athlete who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.

He was born in Saint Joseph, Missouri as the son of James Claiborne Lincoln Sr. (1862–1923) and Annie Shannon Lard (1863–1899). In 1913, he married Margaret Frazer, with whom he had at least two daughters and one son (also James Claiborne), and later with Winifred Strafford. Lincoln lived most of his live in Missouri and Illinois, but between 1915 and 1921 he lived in New York, working as a manufacturer. He died in Chicago, Illinois.[1][2][3]

In 1920 he took part in the javelin throw competition. However, it is for what happened just before the competition that Lincoln is best remembered today. As the world record holder Jonni Myyrä was resting on the grass, his left (non-throwing) arm was struck near the elbow by a Lincoln warm-up throw.[4][5] Myyrä went on to win the gold medal regardless, while Lincoln finished ninth.

References
  1. James-Claiborne Lincoln in History of the Lincoln Family: An Account of the Descendants of Samuel Lincoln, of Hingham, Massachusetts, 1637-1920, Commonwealth Press, 1923
    James Lincoln at Find a Grave
  2. July 1, 1920 passport application to participate in the Olympic Games
  3. Short obituary in the Chicago Tribune of February 24, 1952
  4. Arponen, Antti O. (1996). Olympiakisat Ateenasta Atlantaan (in Finnish). WSOY. ISBN 951-0-21072-2.
  5. Arponen, Antti O.; Hakuli, Seppo (2001). Sankari vai konna - Keihäänheittäjä Jonni Myyrän elämä (in Finnish). ISBN 951-97773-6-9.
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