Paul Costello
Encyclopedia
Paul Vincent Costello (December 27, 1894 - April 17, 1986) was an American
triple Olympic Gold Medal
winner in rowing
and he was the first person to win a gold medal in the same event, the double scull (2x), at three consecutive Olympics. He also won numerous national titles in both the single and double scull in the 1920s.
Costello won the double scull race with his cousin John B. Kelly, Sr.
, also known as Jack Kelly at the 1920 Olympics
in Antwerp, Belgium and the 1924 Olympics
in Paris. Costello repeated his winning ways at the 1928 Olympics
in Amsterdam
with a new partner Charles McIlvaine
. All of the races were won handily.
Historically, Costello has been overshadowed somewhat by his cousin and long-time rowing partner Jack Kelly
who was a triple Olympic Gold Medal
winner in his own right, having won both the single and double scull at the 1920 games, along with the double scull at the 1924 games. Kelly gained additional fame as the father of Grace Kelly
, Actress and Princess of Monaco
, and John B. Kelly, Jr.
, an accomplished oarsman in his own right.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
triple Olympic Gold Medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
winner in rowing
Sport rowing
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
and he was the first person to win a gold medal in the same event, the double scull (2x), at three consecutive Olympics. He also won numerous national titles in both the single and double scull in the 1920s.
Costello won the double scull race with his cousin John B. Kelly, Sr.
John B. Kelly, Sr.
John Brendan Kelly, Sr., also known as Jack Kelly, was one of the most accomplished American oarsmen in the history of the sport of rowing. He was a triple Olympic Gold Medal winner, the first to do so in the sport of rowing. He won 126 straight races in the single scull...
, also known as Jack Kelly at the 1920 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....
in Antwerp, Belgium and the 1924 Olympics
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...
in Paris. Costello repeated his winning ways at the 1928 Olympics
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...
in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
with a new partner Charles McIlvaine
Charles McIlvaine (rower)
Charles Joseph McIlvaine was an American rower who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics.He died in Broward County, Florida.In 1928 he won the gold medal with his partner Paul Costello in the double sculls competition....
. All of the races were won handily.
Historically, Costello has been overshadowed somewhat by his cousin and long-time rowing partner Jack Kelly
John B. Kelly, Sr.
John Brendan Kelly, Sr., also known as Jack Kelly, was one of the most accomplished American oarsmen in the history of the sport of rowing. He was a triple Olympic Gold Medal winner, the first to do so in the sport of rowing. He won 126 straight races in the single scull...
who was a triple Olympic Gold Medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
winner in his own right, having won both the single and double scull at the 1920 games, along with the double scull at the 1924 games. Kelly gained additional fame as the father of Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly
Grace Patricia Kelly was an American actress who, in April 1956, married Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, to become Princess consort of Monaco, styled as Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco, and commonly referred to as Princess Grace.After embarking on an acting career in 1950, at the age of...
, Actress and Princess of Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
, and John B. Kelly, Jr.
John B. Kelly, Jr.
John Brendan Kelly, Jr. , also known as Kell Kelly or Jack Kelly, was an accomplished oarsman, a four-time Olympian, and an Olympic medal winner. He was also the son of triple Olympic gold medal winner John B. Kelly, Sr. In 1947, Kelly was awarded the James E...
, an accomplished oarsman in his own right.
Achievements and Awards
- Gold Medal, Double Scull, 1920 Olympic Games
- Gold Medal, Double Scull, 1924 Olympic Games
- Gold Medal, Double Scull, 1928 Olympic Games
- Member, United States Rowing Hall of Fame, Double Scull, (elected 1956)