Lou Jones

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameLouis Woodard "Lou"•Jones, III
Used nameLou•Jones
Born15 January 1932 in New Rochelle, New York (USA)
Died3 February 2006 in Bronx, New York (USA)
Measurements183 cm / 76 kg
AffiliationsNew York Pioneer Club, New York (USA) / US Army, (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Lou Jones set a world 400 m record in winning the 1955 Pan American Games. He improved the world mark to 45.2 at the 1956 Final Trials, but failed to show his true form at the Melbourne Olympics. In the individual 400 m he ran no better than 48.1 for fifth place and in the relay he was clocked at a modest 47.1 as lead-off man in the final. At the 1955 Pan American Games he also ran on the gold medal winning 4×400 relay team (with John Mashburn, Lon Spurrier, and Jim Lea). After his brief career came to a close, Jones graduated from Manhattan College and then earned a master’s degree from the Teacher’s College at Columbia. He became a high school teacher, coach, and administrator in New York, and later was Westchester County’s Equal Employment Opportunity Unit.

Personal Best: 400 – 45.2 (1956).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1956 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Lou Jones
400 metres, Men (Olympic) 5
4 × 400 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) United States 1 Gold

Special Notes