Runners await their start at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. (Wikimedia Commons) Storytime with Corey Why All the Olympic Rings Could Be Colored (Big) Red Cornell and its alumni have played prominent roles in the Games—even before they were founded By Corey Ryan Earle ’07 In 1889, French aristocrat Pierre de Coubertin visited the Hill on a tour of American universities to study education—especially physical education. Coubertin had been corresponding with former Cornell president Andrew Dickson White, who introduced him to other influential U.S. leaders. The social and educational benefits of athletic competition, as showcased at American colleges, became Coubertin’s passion. “I hardly dare to tell you that I think, from what I saw, that Cornell is far the best of all American universities,” Coubertin wrote to White. “I had lately the misfortune of making some Harvard men very angry by telling them that whilst Harvard was but a fine imitation of the English universities, Cornell seemed to me to stand as a type of what an American university ought to be.” Coubertin was clearly a wise man—and his observations would shape his vision for international athletic competition. In fact, the earliest known record of that vision is an 1892 letter to White. Baron Pierre de Coubertin. (Wikimedia Commons) “I have come to the conclusion that if the Olympian Games were started anew & held every four years as in the old times,” he wrote, “it would be a great benefit to modern athleticism.” And thus, Cornell helped launch the modern Olympic movement. In 1894, a meeting was held in Paris to discuss the idea and create an International Olympic Committee. Participating as a commissioner was journalist Theodore Stanton 1874, MA 1877; the son of social reformers Henry and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, he would go on to serve on the IOC—the only Cornellian who has ever done so. If Cornell were its own country, it would rank somewhere around Mexico in terms of medals won, at 73. At least 129 Olympic athletes have studied at the University—and that’s not including the many who have served as Big Red coaches (and some faculty and staff). But at the first Games in Athens in 1896, there were no Cornellians among the nearly 250 competitors (including 14 from the U.S.). Daily Sun readers got a firsthand perspective from special correspondent Eugene Andrews 1895, then studying at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (which the University had helped establish). I think, from what I saw, that Cornell is far the best of all American universities. Olympics founder Pierre de Coubertin Wrote Andrews: “The games were really more interesting than anyone anticipated.” Andrews had made international news in the months leading up to the Olympics for deciphering an erstwhile inscription on the Parthenon; he learned it was not original to the building, but had been added to honor Emperor Nero. At the Olympics, Andrews was joined by Cornell professor (and future University of California president) Benjamin Ide Wheeler, on leave to teach at the American School. Serving as a judge for track events, Wheeler helped avert an international incident when a U.S. athlete began protesting to a referee without realizing the man—Prince George of Greece and Denmark—was one of the Games’ organizers. If Cornell were its own country, it would rank somewhere around Mexico in terms of medals won, at 73. It wasn’t until the Olympics came to America that Cornellians first competed, with a trio of student track athletes traveling to St. Louis in 1904. Each brought home one medal—bronze, silver, and gold—beginning a streak of participants at every Olympiad through 1932, except Winter 1924 at Chamonix. Although the U.S. and Canada are the best-represented countries among Cornell Olympians, 12 countries have fielded Big Red athletes. Notable Big Red Olympians include: John Carpenter 1907 At the 1908 Games in London, Carpenter finished first in the men’s 400-meter race, but was disqualified for obstructing the British runner in a move that was legal under American rules, but not British ones. The final was re-run without Carpenter, but his two teammates refused to participate, leaving the Brit to win gold in the only walkover victory in Olympic history. In the aftermath, several changes were made—including the founding of the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) to standardize rules. Carpenter at the 1908 Games. (Wikimedia Commons) Lee Talbot 1911 Talbot is one of the few people to compete in three different sports at one Olympiad. In London in 1908, he participated in track and field (discus, hammer throw, and shot put), freestyle heavyweight wrestling, and tug-of-war. He was part of the U.S. tug-of-war team that withdrew from the quarterfinals in protest when the team of Liverpool Police from Great Britain was allowed to compete in service boots. John Paul Jones 1913 Jones on the Hill. (Rare and Manuscript Collections) In 1912, the IAAF became the first overseer of athletic world records—and its first ratified mile record holder was Jones, a Big Red track star. He failed to medal at the 1912 Games, although he played in baseball’s Olympic demonstration debut. He’d go on to set the first official IAAF mile record (4 minutes, 14.4 seconds) his senior year. Bob Kane ’34 Interestingly the only alum in the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame served as an administrator rather than an athlete. After many years in Big Red athletics, including as director, he served as president of the U.S. Olympic Committee from 1977–81—a period that saw both the creation of the U.S. Olympic Festival and America’s boycott of the Games in Moscow. Kane (literally) wrote the book on Big Red athletics. Charlie Moore ’51 Moore (left) with fellow Big Red Olympians Meredith “Flash” Gourdine ’52, BEP ’53 (who’d win silver in the long jump and become a Cornell trustee) and Walter Ashbaugh ’51, MBA ’55. (Rare and Manuscript Collections) The future Cornell athletic director won gold in the 400-meter hurdles and silver in the 4×100 meter relay at the 1952 Helsinki Games. (His success was due, in part, to the fact that he took only 13 steps between hurdles instead of the common 15.) A director with the U.S. Olympic Committee, Moore was the only Cornellian honored among “100 Golden Olympians” in 1996. Albert Hall ’56 & Rebecca Johnston ’11, BS ’12 Johnston on the ice for the Big Red. (Cornell Athletics) Only two Cornellians have competed in four Olympiads: Hall in the hammer throw (1956, 1960, 1964, 1968) and Johnston in ice hockey (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022). With 19 medals (11 of them gold), ice hockey is Cornell’s most successful Olympic sport; Johnston is one of seven alumnae to compete in the last decade, primarily for Canada. Summer 2024: Headed for Paris Taylor Knibb racing in the City of Light in 2023. (World Triathlon / Janos M. Schmidt) With several Cornellians competing at this summer’s Games, there will be plenty of opportunities to cheer for Big Red alums. They include returning medalists Kyle Dake ’13 (wrestling) and Taylor Knibb ’20, who became the youngest woman to ever qualify for the U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team when she made it to the previous Summer Games, held in Tokyo. Pierre de Coubertin and A.D. White would be proud. Top: Runners await their start at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. (Wikimedia Commons) Published July 18, 2024 Comments Nicki Moore 18 Jul, 2024 A wonderful, inspiring history of Cornellians in the Olympics! As always, Corey, great job! Reply Eric Neumann, Class of 1996 19 Jul, 2024 Thanks Corey. I always learn something cool from you. I’m posting that Coubertin quote on my wall. Another alum you might consider highlighting is William Howard Fritz, class of 1914. At Cornell, he was captain of the football team and earned 12 varsity letters in track, football, gymnastics, and baseball. He competed in the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm in the pole vault. He came in 8th. A few years later, he fought in WWI. No too shabby. Reply Terry Davis, Class of 1968 19 Jul, 2024 Wonderful article Corey! My dad Paul McKeegan was an IHS classmate of Bob Kane ‘30 and dear friend for year as administrators at Cornell. Bob Kane was often at our home at McKeegN cocktail parties. Reply Dave Wohlhueter 20 Jul, 2024 Fabulous job, Corey. You mentioned so many great athletes that I had never heard of. But, don’t forget Joe Nieuwendyk , who won gold with Canada’s ice hockey team in Salt Lake City. I worked at those Winter Olympics, and before that at the Summer Games in Atlanta. Dave Wohlhueter, Former Cornell SID (1977-98) Reply Randall Nixon, Class of 1976 22 Jul, 2024 As a hurdler, I worshipped Charlie Moore. He never lost a race — in high school, at Cornell, and at the Olympics. He was one of my idols. “Flash” Gourdine’s daughter, Terri, was in the class of ’77. Reply Dan Benardot, Class of 1980 23 Jul, 2024 Dan Benardot was nutritionist for the USA women’s gymnastics team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games (team gold medal and multiple other medals), and the marathon team at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games (1 silver; 1 bronze medal). He received his PhD from Cornell University in Human Service Studies and Nutrition in 1980, and is now Professor Emeritus of Nutrition at Georgia State University and Teaching Professor in the Center for the Study of Human Health at Emory University. Reply Ted Rauch, Class of 1961 23 Jul, 2024 Thank you Corey for this wonderful information. My father , Alfred Rauch, class of 1924, was picked as an alternate in the ’24 Olympics in Paris…100 years ago! He ran the 880 yard run under legendary coach Jack Moakley. In those days, alternates paid their own way. He never ran there, but he and friend, classmate and Cornell track teammate, Tom Hennings ( former US Congressman and Senator from Missouri)had a great 2 weeks there anyway. Reply Herb Fontecilla, Class of 1966 23 Jul, 2024 This is the kind of story that I like to read about Cornell. Bravo! Reply Bob neff, Class of 1970 23 Jul, 2024 also loved the comment by Olympics founder Pierre de Coubertin. Reply Judy Wagner, Class of 1966 23 Jul, 2024 Do you have any memorabilia about Cornell at the infamous 1936 Olympics? Just wondering whether any students or faculty participated. An old friend in the class of 36 was on the Cornell fencing team, and he told me that he was asked to go but declined for lack of funds. Reply John A. Gaines IV, Class of 1967 24 Jul, 2024 Great article, Corey. Rebecca Johnston won three Olympic golds and one silver in ice hockey. Is there any other Cornell athlete with similar credits? Johnny, by the way, just got married last weekend. 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