Jackson Scholz
Encyclopedia
Jackson Volney Scholz (March 15, 1897 – October 26, 1986) was an American track and field athlete
who specialized in the sprint. In the 1920s, he became the first person to appear in an Olympic sprint final in three different Olympic Games
. After his athletic career, he also gained fame as a writer.
, Jackson Scholz, A.K.A. "The New York Thunderbolt," competed for the University of Missouri
in Columbia, MIssouri
, and later the Newark Athletic Club. While quite successful in the Olympics, he managed to win only a single national title, the 1925 220 yards AAU
title.
His first Olympic appearance was in Antwerp at the 1920 Summer Olympics
, where he won a gold medal with the American 4x100 m relay team. In addition, he placed fourth in the 100 m final. Later that year, Scholz equaled the World Record in the 100 m, running 10.6s in Stockholm.
Four years later, he was one of the favorites for the sprint titles in the 100 and 200 m at the Paris Games
. He lived up to the expectations in the 200 m, but was beaten to the gold in the 100 m by Britain
's Harold Abrahams
. The 100m race and the 400m race which Eric Liddell
won, are depicted in the movie Chariots of Fire
, which was released in 1981 - five years before Scholz's death at the age of 87. He was played in the film by actor Brad Davis
, who would die 10 years later aged only 41.
Scholz made a third Olympic appearance in 1928
. As the reigning champion, he placed fourth in the 200 m.
During the 1984 Summer Olympic Games
, an American Express
credit card commercial ("Don't leave home without it") included Ben Cross
and the 87-year-old Scholz. When Cross said something about beating Scholz (in the film, Chariots of Fire
), the latter remarked, "You didn't beat me!" with mock indignation. Proving he was "still pretty fast," Scholz beat Cross to the draw in picking up the tab with his credit card.
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
who specialized in the sprint. In the 1920s, he became the first person to appear in an Olympic sprint final in three different Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. After his athletic career, he also gained fame as a writer.
Biography
Born to Susan and Zachary Scholz in Buchanan, MichiganBuchanan, Michigan
Buchanan is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,681 at the 2000 census. The city is located at the southeast corner of Buchanan Township, about 5 miles west of Niles. It was named after James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States...
, Jackson Scholz, A.K.A. "The New York Thunderbolt," competed for the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
in Columbia, MIssouri
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
, and later the Newark Athletic Club. While quite successful in the Olympics, he managed to win only a single national title, the 1925 220 yards AAU
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
title.
His first Olympic appearance was in Antwerp at the 1920 Summer Olympics
1920 Summer Olympics
The 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium....
, where he won a gold medal with the American 4x100 m relay team. In addition, he placed fourth in the 100 m final. Later that year, Scholz equaled the World Record in the 100 m, running 10.6s in Stockholm.
Four years later, he was one of the favorites for the sprint titles in the 100 and 200 m at the Paris Games
1924 Summer Olympics
The 1924 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VIII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1924 in Paris, France...
. He lived up to the expectations in the 200 m, but was beaten to the gold in the 100 m by Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's Harold Abrahams
Harold Abrahams
Harold Maurice Abrahams, CBE, was a British athlete of Jewish origin. He was Olympic champion in 1924 in the 100 metres sprint, a feat depicted in the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire.-Early life:...
. The 100m race and the 400m race which Eric Liddell
Eric Liddell
Eric Henry Liddell was a Scottish athlete, rugby union international player, and missionary.Liddell was the winner of the men's 400 metres at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris...
won, are depicted in the movie Chariots of Fire
Chariots of Fire
Chariots of Fire is a 1981 British film. It tells the fact-based story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice....
, which was released in 1981 - five years before Scholz's death at the age of 87. He was played in the film by actor Brad Davis
Brad Davis (actor)
Robert Creel "Brad" Davis was an American actor, known for starring in the 1978 film Midnight Express.-Early life:...
, who would die 10 years later aged only 41.
Scholz made a third Olympic appearance in 1928
1928 Summer Olympics
The 1928 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1928 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Amsterdam had bid for the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games, but had to give way to war-victim Antwerp, Belgium, and Pierre de...
. As the reigning champion, he placed fourth in the 200 m.
During the 1984 Summer Olympic Games
Summer Olympic Games
The Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
, an American Express
American Express
American Express Company or AmEx, is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Three World Financial Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best...
credit card commercial ("Don't leave home without it") included Ben Cross
Ben Cross
Ben Cross is a British actor of the stage and screen, best known for his portrayal of the British Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams in the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire.-Early life:...
and the 87-year-old Scholz. When Cross said something about beating Scholz (in the film, Chariots of Fire
Chariots of Fire
Chariots of Fire is a 1981 British film. It tells the fact-based story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice....
), the latter remarked, "You didn't beat me!" with mock indignation. Proving he was "still pretty fast," Scholz beat Cross to the draw in picking up the tab with his credit card.