Forrest Smithson

Forrest Smithson attended both Notre Dame and Oregon State, but did not graduate from either school. He later became a Baptist minister and supposedly won the 1908 Olympic high hurdles carrying a Bible in his hand as a protest against Sunday competition. However, this claim, based on a posed picture in the Official Report of the Olympics, is false. The final of the race was held on a Saturday, and Sunday racing was uncommon in Britain at the time. Smithson won the AAU title in 1907 and 1909 and his winning time of 15.0 at the 1908 Olympic was recognized as the first official IAAF record.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.2 (1968); 110H – 15.0 (1908).