Arthur Francis Duffey (June 14, 1879 – January 23, 1955) was an American track and field athlete who competed at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.[1]
Arthur Duffey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Arthur Francis Duffey June 14, 1879 Roxbury, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | January 23, 1955 (aged 75) Arlington, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation | Athlete |
| Spouse | Helen Louise Daley |
| Children | 5 |
Biography
editDuffey won four consecutive 100 yards British AAA Championships titles in 1900.[2] 1901,[3] 1902 and 1903.[4]
In 1902, whilst a student at Georgetown University, Duffey ran a world record of 9.6 seconds for the 100 yards. Although equaled in 1906 by Dan Kelly, it would be 27 years before it was finally bettered, by Eddie Tolan.[5]
In 1905 it was rumored that he was to marry the actress Mabel Hite and, as she was a divorcee, he would meet Pope Pius X in order to attain special dispensation to wed. The rumor proved false.[6] Duffey finally married in 1911, to long-time friend Helen Louise Daley.[7]
In 1905 he confessed that he had been accepting sponsor money since 1898, and the AAU ordered all of his records expunged. In 1908 he attempted to form the National Protective Athletic Association (NPAA) to challenge the AAU.[8] Around this time Duffey was also involved in promoting professional athletes on the east coast racing circuit. One of those he worked with was the future Mercersburg Academy coach Jimmy Curran.[9]
After retiring from athletics he became a sports writer for The Boston Post.[10] He died of a heart attack.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Arthur Duffey". Olympedia. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "The Amateur Athletic Association Championships". Sporting Life. 9 July 1900. Retrieved 30 July 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "The Amateur Championships". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 8 July 1901. Retrieved 31 July 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "AAA, WAAA and National Championships Medallists". National Union of Track Statisticians. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Track Trailblazer Dies, Portsmouth Herald, January 25, 1955
- ^ Arthur Duffey to Wed Actress, Boston Post, January 21, 1905
- ^ Arthur Duffey Now Benedict, Boston Post, February 23, 1911
- ^ Quaker Athletes Fight the A.A.U., Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 1908-01-24
- ^ Indians to Race Shrubb, Boston Herald, 1908-01-13
- ^ Arthur Duffey's Column, Boston Sunday Post, 1911-08-12
- ^ Track Trailblazer Dies, Portsmouth Herald, January 25, 1955
Further reading
edit- De Wael, Herman. "Herman's Full Olympians: "Athletics 1900"". Archived from the original on 11 February 2006. Retrieved 18 March 2006.
- Mallon, Bill (1998). The 1900 Olympic Games, Results for All Competitors in All Events, with Commentary. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 0-7864-0378-0.
External links
edit
Media related to Arthur Duffey at Wikimedia Commons
- Arthur Duffey at www.USATF.org
- Arthur Duffey at the USATF Hall of Fame (archived)
- Arthur Duffey at Olympics.com
- Arthur Duffey at Olympic.org (archived)
- Arthur Duffey at Olympedia
- Arthur Duffey at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived)
