2012 Hall of Fame Inductee
Pat McDonald is recognized as the oldest Olympic champion in history, winning the 56-pound weight throw at the 1920 Games at the age of 42. However, his career was far from over as he won the last of his incredible 16 AAU titles in the weight throw in 1933 at the age of 55. McDonald also won the 1912 Olympic gold medal in the shot put and a silver medal in the men’s two-handed shot put. The latter event, which featured recording the total distance a person threw the shot put with each arm, was only contested in 1912. Born in Ireland, McDonald moved to New York City where he competed for the Irish-American A.C. and the New York A.C. and worked for the New York Police Department, spending much of his time patrolling Times Square. McDonald died May 16, 1954.
Championships 1912 Olympic Games: Shot Put - 15.34 m (1st) 1912 Olympic Games: Two-hand Shot Put - 27.53 m (2nd) 1920 Olympic Games: Shot Put - 14.08 m (4th) 1920 Olympic Games: 56-pound Weight Throw - 11.26 m (1st)