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Alvah Meyer

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Alvah Meyer
Alvah Meyer in 1912
Personal information
BornJuly 18, 1888
New York City, United States
DiedDecember 19, 1939 (aged 51)
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight65 kg (143 lb)
Sport
SportTrack sprinter
Event(s)100m, 200m
ClubI-AAC, Queens
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)100m – 10.7 seconds (1912)
200 – 21.7 seconds (1912)
Medal record
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1912 Stockholm 100 metres

Alvah T. Meyer (July 18, 1888 – December 19, 1939) was an American sprint runner. He was a Jewish[1] member of the Irish American Athletic Club, which also included Abel Kiviat and Myer Prinstein.

He was born in New York City on July 18, 1888. Showing great promise prior to the 1912 Olympics, he won the AAU indoor 60y in 1911 and the 220 y outdoor in 1912.[2]

Olympic silver medalist

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Meyer underperformed at the 1912 Olympic Trials and was only selected for the US Olympic team on the condition he pay for his travel, which his parents eventually covered. He won the silver medal in the 100 meters, but though he was the reigning American champion at the time, he was eliminated in the semi-finals of the 200 m event.[3]

In 1914, he set a world indoor record at 60 yards; in 1915, he set a world record at 330 yards.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Paul Taylor (2004). Jews and the Olympic Games: The Clash Between Sport and Politics : with a Complete Review of Jewish Olympic Medallists. Sussex Academic Press. pp. 236–. ISBN 978-1-903900-87-1.
  2. ^ a b Alvah Meyer. olympedia.org
  3. ^ Alvah Meyer. sports-reference.com
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