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Home > Olympics > Gold Medalists > Mel Patton
Mel Patton
The Olympic Games, or Olympics, are an international multi-sport event taking place every four years which comprise of summer and winter games. Though the first ancient games were held in 776 B.C, the modern games started from 1896. The unity of the 5 continents is shown on the Olympic flag by five colorful intertwined rings of red, blue, green, yellow, and black, created by Baron Pierre de Coubertin to represent at least one color of the participating country’s national flag.
Melvin Emery Patton was born on November 16, 1924 in Los Angeles, California, Mel Patton or Pell Mell, as he was nicknamed in the late 1940s, made his mark in track and field, while a student at the University of Southern California, where he was coached by Dean Cromwell. He is a American former athlete, winner of two gold medals at the 1948 Summer Olympics.
He won the NCAA, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, 100 yard dash title in 1947 and in 1948 and 1949 completed the 100 and 220 yard sprint double at that same meet. In 1947 he tied the 100 yard dash world record of 9.4, and then lowered it to 9.3 the following year. In 1949, he set a 220 yard world record on a straightaway of 20.2, breaking a Jesse Owens record.
In the Olympic trials, he suffered a rare loss to Barney Ewell in the 100 meters final, then in the Olympic Games placed only fifth in the 100 meters. He atoned for that disappointment by taking two gold medals in the 200 meters and the 4 into 100 meters relay. With all his dedication and devotion in his play he achieved many goals in his overall athletic career. He had the ability of defeating the opponent easily by just giving some extra hard work and efforts. He never lost hope in himself and always fought hard to achieve his goal.
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