Frank Irons

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Competed in Olympic Games (non-medal events)
SexMale
Full nameFrancis Cleveland "Frank"•Irons
Used nameFrank•Irons
Born23 March 1886 in Des Moines, Iowa (USA)
Died19 June 1942 in Palatine, Illinois (USA)
Measurements167 cm / 59 kg
AffiliationsChicago AA, Chicago (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

In winning the 1908 Olympic long jump, Frank Irons of the Chicago AA far exceeded any previous form he had shown and his winning jump of 24-6½ (7.48) placed him third on the all-time list behind Peter O’Connor and Meyer Prinstein. In 1909 and 1910 he also won the AAU and topped the world ranking list in both years. Irons looked like a likely candidate to become the only man to defend an Olympic long jump title, but he was far from his best in Stockholm and finished in ninth place. Irons also competed in the 1912 Olympic Baseball demonstration event.

Personal Bests: LJ – 24-6½ (7.48) (1908); TJ – 44-2 (13.46) (1909).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1908 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Frank Irons
High Jump, Men (Olympic) DNS
Standing High Jump, Men (Olympic) =8
Long Jump, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
Standing Long Jump, Men (Olympic) AC
Triple Jump, Men (Olympic) 16
1912 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Frank Irons
Standing High Jump, Men (Olympic) DNS
Long Jump, Men (Olympic) 9
Standing Long Jump, Men (Olympic) DNS
Triple Jump, Men (Olympic) DNS
Baseball (Baseball/Softball) USA Frank Irons
Baseball, Men (Olympic (non-medal)) United States 1
Baseball, Men (Olympic (non-medal)) US West "Finlands" 2