Guinn Smith

Owen Guinn Smith (May 2, 1920 - January 20, 2004) was a American athlete, the 1948 Olympic champion in the pole vault.

Related Topics:
May 2 - 1920 - January 20 - 2004 - American - Athlete - 1948 Olympic - Pole vault

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Born in McKinney, Texas, Smith moved to California when he was a kid. He was originally a high jumper, but UC Berkeley, the university he wanted to attend, already had a strong high jumping team, so he took up pole vaulting. He won the NCAA championships in 1941, the year before he graduated as a history major. During the remainder of World War II, Guinn Smith served as an air force pilot in Asia.

Related Topics:
McKinney, Texas - California - High jump - UC Berkeley - NCAA - World War II

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Smith, the 1947 national pole vault champion, was sent to the 1948 Olympics in London. During a rainy competition, Smith took the gold in his last attempt for 4.30 m (14 ft 1 1/4 in).

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He died at age 83 in San Francisco of emphysema.

Related Topics:
San Francisco - Emphysema

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