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Mel Pender

Full name: Melvin "Mel" Pender, Jr.
Gender: Male
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
Weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)
Born: October 31, 1937 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Affiliations: US Army, (USA)
Country: USA United States
Sport: Athletics

Medals: 1 Gold (1 Total)

Biography

Mel Pender made the final of the Olympic 100m in 1964 and 1968 and placed sixth each time, but in 1968 he helped win a gold medal in the relay. In 1972, at the age of 35, he tied the world indoor bests for 50y and 60y and, as a pro in 1973, he again tied the world indoor record for 60y. Mel Pender an Adelphi graduate, retired after 21 years as a career Army officer, having achieved a rank of captain. He also worked as a track shoe designer and marketing specialist, track coach at West Point, and for some time as director of the Youth Development Program of the NFL Players' Association.

Personal Bests: 100y – 9.3 (1965); 100 – 10.15 (1968).

Results

Games Age City Sport Event Team NOC Rank Medal
1964 Summer 26 Tokyo Athletics Men's 100 metres United States USA 6T
1968 Summer 30 Ciudad de México Athletics Men's 100 metres United States USA 6
1968 Summer 30 Ciudad de México Athletics Men's 4 × 100 metres Relay United States USA 1 Gold WR

Men's 100 metres

Event History
Games Age City Sport Country Phase Unit Rank T(H) T(A) L
1964 Summer 26 Tokyo Athletics United States Final 6T 10.4 10.47 8
1964 Summer 26 Tokyo Athletics United States Semi-Finals Heat Two 4 QU 10.4 10,49
1964 Summer 26 Tokyo Athletics United States Quarter-Finals Heat Three 2 QU 10.4 10,44
1964 Summer 26 Tokyo Athletics United States Round One Heat Three 2 QU 10.5 10,53
1968 Summer 30 Ciudad de México Athletics United States Final 6 10.1 10.17 6
1968 Summer 30 Ciudad de México Athletics United States Semi-Finals Heat One 4 QU 10.2 10.21
1968 Summer 30 Ciudad de México Athletics United States Quarter-Finals Heat Two 2 QU 10.1 10.16
1968 Summer 30 Ciudad de México Athletics United States Round One Heat Four 2 QU 10.3 10.35

Men's 4 × 100 metres Relay

Event History
Games Age City Sport Team NOC Phase Unit Rank T(H) T(A) L
1968 Summer 30 Ciudad de México Athletics United States USA Final 1 WR 38.2 38.24 2
1968 Summer 30 Ciudad de México Athletics United States USA Semi-Finals Heat Two 2 QU 38.6 38.69
1968 Summer 30 Ciudad de México Athletics United States USA Round One Heat One 2 QU 38.8 38.86