Mal Whitfield, former Olympian and Ohio State star, dies at 91 – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
Nov. 20, 2015
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Former Olympic gold medalist and Ohio State track and field star Mal Whitfield passed away Wednesday at the age of 91.
A member of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II and the Korean War, Whitfield became a household name as a student at Ohio State in the late 1940s, winning NCAA titles in the 800-meter run in 1948 and 1949 (880-yard run).
In 1948, “Marvelous Mal” became the first service member to win an Olympic gold medal while on active duty when he won the 800-meter run and 4×400-meter relay in London, along with a bronze medal in the 400-meter dash. He repeated his 800-meter victory at the 1952 Games in Finland while collecting a silver medal as a member of U.S. 4×400-meter relay team.
In 1954, Whitfield became the first black athlete to win the prestigious James E. Sullivan Award, given annually to the outstanding amateur athlete in the country.
Following his athletic career, Whitfield spent nearly 50 years training young athletes in countries throughout Africa on behalf of the United States Information Service. He coached a number of future Olympians and arranged sports scholarships for over 5,000 African athletes to study in the United States.
