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John Jesus FlanaganAmerican track and field athlete, three-time Olympic champion in hammer throw
Date of Birth: 09.01.1873
Country:  Ireland |
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Biography of John Jesus Flanagan
John Jesus Flanagan was an American athlete and three-time Olympic champion in hammer throwing. He was born on January 9, 1873, in Kilbreedy, County Limerick, southwest Ireland. Flanagan emigrated to the United States in 1896 and became a member of the New York Athletic Club and the American-Irish Athletic Club in Queens, where he joined a group of athletes known as the 'Irish Whales'.
Olympic Success
Representing his country at the 1900 Olympic Games in Paris, Flanagan became the first American to win a gold medal in hammer throwing, surpassing the silver medalist, Truxtun Hare, by 4.74 meters. He also won a bronze medal in the discus throw at the same Olympics. In the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, Flanagan successfully defended his title in hammer throwing and set a new record of 168 feet and 1 inch. He finished fourth in the discus throw.
In 1908, Flanagan participated in his third Olympic Games in London and broke his own record in hammer throwing, reaching a distance of 170 feet and 4.5 inches. He was unmatched in his favorite discipline, while another representative of the New York Police Department, Matt McGrath, won the silver medal. Flanagan also finished ninth in the discus throw and reached the quarterfinals in the tug of war event with his team.
Later Years and Legacy
After his athletic career, Flanagan became a member of the New York Police Department in 1903. Due to his demanding job, he had little time for training and competitions. However, at the age of 41, Flanagan broke the world record in hammer throwing, reaching a distance of 56.18 meters. In 1911, he left the United States and returned to Kilmallock, County Limerick, Ireland. He found eternal rest there on June 3, 1938, after his father's death.
At the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, the United States team was defeated in hammer throwing for the first time, with the victory going to Irish athlete Dr. Patrick O'Callaghan. Flanagan's achievements and records continue to inspire and serve as a testament to his exceptional skills in the sport of hammer throwing.
