William F. Hamilton
Encyclopedia
William Hamilton was an American
athlete. He competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics
in London
.
Hamilton was a member of the medley relay team that won the gold medal
. He was the first of the four runners, beginning with a 200 metres run. He was followed by Nate Cartmell
, John Taylor
, and Mel Sheppard
.
In the first round, Hamilton gave the team a small head start
as they ran to victory with a combined time of 3:27.2. The lead that Hamilton had at the end of his leg of the final was bigger, a full six yards over the nearest competitor. Hamilton's split for the final was 22.0 seconds, as the team finished in 3:29.4 for first place and the gold medal.
Hamilton also competed in the 100 metres event
and the 200 metres competition
. He won his first round heat of the 100 with a time of 11.2 seconds, but did not start the second round. In the 200, he won in the first round with a time of 22.4 seconds and placed second in the semifinals to be eliminated from competition.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
athlete. He competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics
1908 Summer Olympics
The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Hamilton was a member of the medley relay team that won the gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
. He was the first of the four runners, beginning with a 200 metres run. He was followed by Nate Cartmell
Nathaniel Cartmell
Nathaniel John Cartmell , also known as Nat and Nate, was an American athlete who won medals at two editions of the Olympic Games...
, John Taylor
John Taylor (athlete)
John Baxter Taylor Jr. was an American track and field athlete, notable as the first African American to win an Olympic gold medal...
, and Mel Sheppard
Mel Sheppard
Melvin Whinfield "Peerless Mel" Sheppard was an American athlete, member of the Irish American Athletic Club and winner of four gold medals at the 1908 Summer Olympics and 1912 Summer Olympics...
.
In the first round, Hamilton gave the team a small head start
Head start (positioning)
In positioning, a head start is a start in advance of the starting position of others in competition, or simply toward the finish line or desired outcome...
as they ran to victory with a combined time of 3:27.2. The lead that Hamilton had at the end of his leg of the final was bigger, a full six yards over the nearest competitor. Hamilton's split for the final was 22.0 seconds, as the team finished in 3:29.4 for first place and the gold medal.
Hamilton also competed in the 100 metres event
Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics - Men's 100 metres
The men's 100 metres was the shortest of the sprint races at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. The competition was held over the course of three days...
and the 200 metres competition
Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics - Men's 200 metres
The men's 200 metre race was held for the third time at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. The competition was held from July 21, 1908 to July 23, 1908.43 sprinters from 15 nations competed.-Records:...
. He won his first round heat of the 100 with a time of 11.2 seconds, but did not start the second round. In the 200, he won in the first round with a time of 22.4 seconds and placed second in the semifinals to be eliminated from competition.