Ernie Merlin

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameErnest Alfred "Ernie"•Merlin (Merlini-)
Used nameErnie•Merlin
Born5 September 1886 in Clerkenwell, England (GBR)
Died10 March 1959 in Islington, England (GBR)
AffiliationsPolytechnic C.C., Westminster (GBR)
NOC Great Britain
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

In 1907 Ernie Merlin finished second in a Polytechnic 50-mile handicap race, and the next year, won the first Poly race of the new season, over 25 miles. Also in 1908, he won the prestigious Anfield BC 100-mile handicap time trial around Shropshire. In 1912, Merlin finished third in a 200-mile Olympic trial organised by the north-east section of the NCU, and was duly selected for the Games, where he won a silver medal in the road race team event. He returned to cycling after World War I, and having finished second to Harry Ryan in the Polytechnic one-hour tandem-paced race in 1921, he turned the tables on Ryan a year later by winning with a distance of 26 miles 1120 yards (42.87 km). Merlin finished second again in 1923, despite covering a greater distance than when he won a year earlier. One of his last track or road races was at Hastings in 1924, one month before his 37th birthday. He then turned to hill-climbing which took him to events across Europe. Ernie was an electrician by trade but, in 1918, had started Merlin cycles with his brother Gus (Augustus), who was also a keen cyclist. Ernie lost his life when he was knocked off his bike in a collision with a car in 1959.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1912 Summer Olympics Cycling Road (Cycling) GBR Ernie Merlin
Road Race, Individual, Men (Olympic) 59
Road Race, Team, Men (Olympic) England 2 Silver

Special Notes