George Orton
Encyclopedia
George Washington Orton (January 10, 1873 – June 26, 1958) was a Canadian middle-distance runner. In 1900, he became the first Canadian to win an Olympic medal.
, before switching to the University of Pennsylvania
in 1893. By then, he was already one of the top middle-distance runners in North America. He won national titles in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, in the one-mile, two-mile and steeplechase
distances. Orton's one-mile time of 4:21.8 in 1892 stood as a Canadian record for 30 years. His total number of wins is reported to be 121.
Orton received his Ph.D. in 1896, but remained active in his sport. The crown on Orton's career might have been the 1900 Summer Olympics
, held in Paris. Orton competed in three events: two steeplechase competitions and the 400 m hurdles
. He won the gold medal in the 2500 m steeplechase and later won a bronze medal in the 400 m hurdles—collecting all of the medals won by Canada at the games. He placed fifth in the 4000 m steeplechase.
In addition to his career in athletics, George W. Orton was a very good soccer player and also played hockey and cricket during his time in Philadelphia. While attending the University of Toronto he played soccer for the 'Varsity' team in the Toronto Football League and was chosen for the Toronto all-star team that played an all-star team from the New England states on June 14, 1891. In 1910 he played centre half for the Philadelphia all-stars against the New York all-stars In Haverford, Pennsylvania, and in 1923, at the age of 50 was playing soccer for Merchantville in the Philadelphia league. He was a member of the Merion and Belmont Cricket Clubs of Philadelphia, the New York Athletic Club, the Pennsylvania Athletic Club, the University of Pennsylvania Track Club and a former secretary of the Rose Tree Fox Hunting Club of Media, Pa. Dr. Orton was also a member of the American Academy of Poets.
Later, Orton was a track coach at Penn, and wrote a book about the track and field history of that university. He was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. Orton died at age 85 in Meredith, New Hampshire
.
Biography
Born in Strathroy, Ontario, Orton did his undergraduate studies in at the University of TorontoUniversity of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, before switching to the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
in 1893. By then, he was already one of the top middle-distance runners in North America. He won national titles in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, in the one-mile, two-mile and steeplechase
Steeplechase (athletics)
The steeplechase is an obstacle race in athletics, which derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing.-Rules:The length of the race is usually 3000 m; junior events are 2000 m, as women's events formerly were. The circuit has four ordinary barriers and one water jump. Over 3000 m, each...
distances. Orton's one-mile time of 4:21.8 in 1892 stood as a Canadian record for 30 years. His total number of wins is reported to be 121.
Orton received his Ph.D. in 1896, but remained active in his sport. The crown on Orton's career might have been the 1900 Summer Olympics
1900 Summer Olympics
The 1900 Summer Olympics, today officially known as the Games of the II Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1900 in Paris, France. No opening or closing ceremonies were held; competitions began on May 14 and ended on October 28. The Games were held as part of...
, held in Paris. Orton competed in three events: two steeplechase competitions and the 400 m hurdles
Hurdling
Hurdling is a type of track and field race.- Distances :There are sprint hurdle races and long hurdle races. The standard sprint hurdle race is 110 meters for men and 100 meters for women. The standard long hurdle race is 400 meters for both men and women...
. He won the gold medal in the 2500 m steeplechase and later won a bronze medal in the 400 m hurdles—collecting all of the medals won by Canada at the games. He placed fifth in the 4000 m steeplechase.
In addition to his career in athletics, George W. Orton was a very good soccer player and also played hockey and cricket during his time in Philadelphia. While attending the University of Toronto he played soccer for the 'Varsity' team in the Toronto Football League and was chosen for the Toronto all-star team that played an all-star team from the New England states on June 14, 1891. In 1910 he played centre half for the Philadelphia all-stars against the New York all-stars In Haverford, Pennsylvania, and in 1923, at the age of 50 was playing soccer for Merchantville in the Philadelphia league. He was a member of the Merion and Belmont Cricket Clubs of Philadelphia, the New York Athletic Club, the Pennsylvania Athletic Club, the University of Pennsylvania Track Club and a former secretary of the Rose Tree Fox Hunting Club of Media, Pa. Dr. Orton was also a member of the American Academy of Poets.
Later, Orton was a track coach at Penn, and wrote a book about the track and field history of that university. He was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is a hall of fame established in 1955 to "preserve the record of Canadian sports achievements and to promote a greater awareness of Canada's heritage of sport." It is located at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta...
and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. Orton died at age 85 in Meredith, New Hampshire
Meredith, New Hampshire
Meredith is a town in Belknap County, New Hampshire, USA. The population was 6,241 at the 2010 census. Meredith is situated beside Lake Winnipesaukee. It is home to Stonedam Island Natural Area and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad...
.