Thomas Edward "Eddie" Tolan (September 29, 1908 – January 30/31, 1967)^[1][2] was an American athlete and sprinter and winner of two gold medals at the 1932 Summer Olympics.

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Biography

Born in Denver, Colorado, Eddie Tolan, also an American football player, won Michigan state championships as a young man at Cass Technical High School in Detroit. When he studied at the University of Michigan, Tolan set a World Record of 9.5s in the 100 yd dash, which gained him instantaneous fame in his home country. That same year, he also equalled the World Record in the 100 m on numerous occasions.

In 1932, by then winner of several AAU Championships, Tolan qualified for the 100 m and 200 m in the 1932 Summer Olympics. Ralph Metcalfe beat him twice in the Olympic Trials, however; the finishing order at the Games themselves was the other way round; Tolan set two Olympic Records to win both sprint events. Remarkably, neither Tolan nor Metcalfe was part of the American 4 x 100 m relay team, which nevertheless won that event in a new World Record.

After the Games, Tolan quit running, although he did run in several professional races later on. Tolan had a brief career in vaudeville, performing with Bill Robinson^[3]; he later became a school teacher.

He died in Detroit, Michigan at age 58 of a heart attack.

Tolan was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.^[4]

Tolan is the uncle of former Major League Baseball player Bobby Tolan. [1]

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See also

• University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor

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References

1. ^ tolan
2. ^ detnews.com | Michigan History
3. ^ Eddie Tolan - Britannica Online Encyclopedia
4. ^ Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc

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External links

• Tolan's entry in the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame
• Tolan's entry in the Michigan Track & Field Hall of Fame