Born March 28, 1881, County Mayo, Ireland. Died March 27, 1918.

One of the world's greatest athletes of the pre-World War One era, Martin Sheridan came to the U.S. from his native Ireland in 1897 and went on to become one of the top U.S. Olympic medal winners in history. His total of nine Olympic medals is surpassed only by immortals Ray Ewry and Paavo Nurmi.

A member of the New York City police force, his track career produced 11 national titles, including four in the discus and three in the all-around (the forerunner of the decathlon). In Olympic competition, Sheridan reaped his nine medals in the Olympics of 1904, 1906 and 1908 in such diverse events as the discus, standing high jump, standing long jump and stone throw. He also set five world records in the discus and his 1905 mark of 143-4 lasted for seven years. He might have thrown farther that day had he not had to withdraw because of an injury suffered the previous day in the pole vault. Sheridan died of pneumonia at the age of 36.