Peter O'Connor (athlete): Difference between revisions

Peter O'Connor was an Irish athlete who set a long-standing world record for the long jump and won two Olympic medals in the 1906 Games.

Born in Ashford, Co.Wicklow, in October 1874, O'Connor lived for most of his life in Waterford. He joined the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in 1896. In 1899 he won All-Ireland medals in long jump, high jump and hop, step and jump (triple jump). Over the next ten years he consistently beat British athletes in international competitions. The British Olympic Committee invited him to take part in the Olympic Games in 1900, but he refused as he only wished to represent Ireland.

In 1900 and 1901, competing with the Irish Amateur Athletic Association (IAAA), a rival association to the GAA, O'Connor set several unofficial world records in the long jump. On 5th August 1901 he jumped 24ft 11¾ins (7.61m) in Dublin. This was the first IAAF recognised long jump world record. It caused a sensation at the time, and remained unbeaten for 20 years, surpassed only by Jesse Owens's 25-year record and Bob Beamon's 23-year record.

In 1906 O'Connor and two other athletes entered the Intercalated Games in Athens, representing Ireland. Although the three paid their own way, they were told on arrival that they were registered as British, not Irish, team members. In the long jump, O'Connor led until the last round, when he was overtaken by Myer Prinstein of the USA, finishing in Silver Medal position. In the hop, step and jump, O'Connor beat his fellow-countryman, Con Leahy, to win the Gold Medal. At 31 he was the oldest ever Gold Medal winner in this event.

At the medal ceremony, in protest at being put on the British team, O'Connor scaled the flagpole and hoisted the Irish flag, while the pole was guarded by Irish and American athletes and supporters.