Walter Tewskbury

One of the world's top sprinters-hurdlers at the turn of the century, Dr. John Walter Tewksbury was a star of the 1900 Olympic Games, winning five medals. He was the gold medalist at 200 meters and the 400m hurdles, the silver medalist at 60 meters and 100 meters and the bronze medalist in the 200m low hurdles. His time of 57.6 seconds in the 400m hurdles at the 1900 Olympics was the fastest by an American although the event wasn't recognized for record purposes at that time. At the time, the event was a European specialty, and 30-foot telephone poles were used as barriers when it was introduced to the Olympics in 1900. While a student at the University of Pennsylvania, Tewksbury won both sprints at the IC4As meets in 1898 and 1899. He subsequently tied the world 100m record of 10.8. After earning his dental degree from Penn, he practiced dentistry in his hometown of Tunkhannock, Pa. Before he died in 1968, he was the last-known survivor of the 1900 Olympic team.

Records Held

World Record: 100 m - 10.80

Championships

1900 Olympics: 60 m (2nd)
1900 Olympics: 100 m (2nd)
1900 Olympics: 200 m (1st)
1900 Olympics: 200 m hurdles (3rd)
1900 Olympics: 400 m hurdles - 57.60 (1st)
1898 IC4A: 100 m (1st)
1898 IC4A: 200 m (1st)
1899 IC4A: 100 m (1st)
1899 IC4A: 200 m (1st)

Occupations

Dentist