NationMaster - Encyclopedia: George Orton

George Washington Orton (January 10, 1873-June 26, 1958) was Canadian middle-distance runner. In 1900, he was the first Canadian to become Olympic champion. January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1873 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... June 26 is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 188 days remaining. ... 1958 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For months before the Olympic Games, runners relay the Olympic Flame from Olympia to the opening ceremony. ...

Born in Strathroy, Ontario, Orton did his undergraduate studies in at the University of Toronto, 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 1 mile, 2 miles and steeplechase. His one-mile time of 4.21,8 stood as a Canadian record for 30 years. His total number of wins is reported to be 121. Strathroy (2001 population 12,978) is a community in southwestern Ontario, Canada. ... Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto (U of T), in Toronto, Ontario, is the largest university in Canada. ... The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn or UPenn, although the former is the preferred and recognized nickname of the University) is a private, nonsectarian, research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... The steeplechase was initially a form of horse-racing, but the term is now applied to similar other events as well. ...

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. Because he represented his American university team (national teams did not yet exist), it remained unknown for quite some time that he was actually Canadian. Orton competed in three events, two steeplechase competitions and the 400 m hurdles. He placed 5th in the 4000 m steeplechase, but he won the title in 2500 m event. In the hurdles event he became third. The 1900 Summer Olympics, formally known as the Games of the II Olympiad, were held in 1900 in Paris, France. ... The Eiffel Tower has become a symbol of Paris throughout the world. ... Hurdling is running over obstacles. ...

Later, he was a track coach at Penn, and wrote a book about the track and field history of that University. He died aged 85 in Meredith, New Hampshire (United States). Meredith is a town located in Belknap County, New Hampshire. ...

Categories: 1873 births | 1958 deaths | Canadian athletes at the 1900 Summer Olympics | Canadian track and field athletes | Middle distance runners | Ontario sportspeople These are the male Olympic medalists in athletics. ... James Davies Jim Lightbody (March 15, 1882 – March 2, 1953) was an American middle distance runner, winner of six Olympic medals in the early 20th century. ... Arthur Russell (March 13, 1886 - August 23, 1972) was a British athlete, winner of 3200 m steeplechase at the 1908 Summer Olympics. ... John Thomas Jack Rimmer (April 27, 1878 - June 6, 1962) was a British athlete, winner of two gold medals at the 1900 Summer Olympics. ... Percy Hodge (December 26, 1890 - December 27, 1967) was a British athlete, winner of the 3000 m steeplechase at the 1920 Summer Olympics, held in Antwerp. ... Vilho Eino Ville Ritola (January 18, 1896 – April 24, 1982) was a Finnish athlete, specialised in the long distance events. ... Toivo Aarne Loukola (October 2, 1902 - January 10, 1984) was a Finnish athlete, winner of 3000 m steeplechase at the 1928 Summer Olympics. ... Volmari Fritijof Vomma Iso-Hollo (May 1, 1907 - June 23, 1969) was a Finnish athlete, winner of two gold medals in 3000 m steeplechase at the Olympic Games. ... Thore Ingvar Tore SjÃ¶strand (born July 31, 1921) is a former Swedish athlete, winner of 3000 m steeplechase at the 1948 Summer Olympics. ... Horace Ashenfelter, III (b. ... Christopher William Brasher (August 21, 1928 - February 28, 2003) was a British athlete and sports journalist who helped found the London Marathon. ... Zdzisław Ludwik Krzyszkowiak (August 3, 1929 - March 23, 2003) was a Polish athlete, winner of 3000 m hurdles at the 1960 Summer Olympics. ... Gaston Roelants (born February 5, 1937 in Opvelp, Belgium) was a top steeplechaser in the early 1960s and a great cross-country runner. ... Amos Biwott (born September 8, Kenyan athlete, winner of 3000 m steeplechase at the 1968 Summer Olympics. ... Kipchoge Kip Keino (born January 17, 1940) was a Kenyan runner. ... Anders GÃ¤rderud (born August 28, 1946) is a former Swedish athlete, winner of 3000 m steeplechase at the 1976 Summer Olympics. ... Alternate use: see Bronislaw Malinowski for the anthropologist. ... Julius Korir (born April 21, 1960) is a former Kenyan athlete, winner of 3000 m steeplechase at the 1984 Summer Olympics. ... Julius Kariuki (born June 12, 1961) was the winner of the 3000 m steeplechase at the 1988 Summer Olympics. ... Matthew Kiprotich Birir (born July 2, 1972) is a former Kenyan athlete, winner of 3000 m steeplechase at the 1992 Summer Olympics. ... Joseph Keter (born June 13, 1969) is a former Kenyan athlete, winner of 3000 m steeplechase at the 1996 Summer Olympics. ... Reuben Seroney Kosgei (born: August 2, 1979 in Marakwet, Kenya) is a middle and long distance athlete mostly famous for 3000 m steeplechase in which he became the youngest ever winner of a Olympic gold medal in the event when at the age of only 19 he ran to victory... Ezekiel Kemboi Cheboi (born May 25, 1982) is a Kenyan athlete, winner of 3000 m steeplechase at the 2004 Summer Olympics. ...