Born January 9, 1868, Kilbreedy, Ireland. Died June 4, 1938.

A New York City policeman, John Flanagan was one of the Irish-American "whales" who helped make the U.S. dominant in the weight events at the turn of 20th century. He was a three-time Olympian who had a total of three gold medals (all in the hammer throw), and two silver medals, one in the 56-pound weight throw and the other in the Tug of War.

A world record holder in the hammer 13 times, he set his first world record in 1897 with a throw of 150-8. He later became the first man to throw past the 160, 170 and 180 foot marks, finally finishing with a best of 184-4 in 1909. He won 13 national titles, seven of them in the hammer. After retiring from the police force, he returned to his native Ireland and coached two-time Olympic champion Dr. Patrick O'Callaghan.