Jack Merchant

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJohn William "Jack"•Merchant
Used nameJack•Merchant
Born3 May 1899 in Marshfield, Oregon (USA)
Died31 March 1972 in Berkeley, California (USA)
Measurements183 cm / 85 kg
AffiliationsOlympic Club, San Francisco (USA) / California Golden Bears, Berkeley (USA)
NOC United States

Biography

Jack Merchant was unusual as he competed at the Olympics in 1920 in the long jump and in 1924 in the hammer throw. As a weight thrower he was AAU hammer champion in 1927 and 1929, and NCAA shot put and hammer throw champion in 1922. He competed for Cal Berkeley and the Olympic Club. At Cal he was Pacific Coast Conference champion in the long jump, breaking the conference record. In later years Merchant stayed involved in the sport by officiating local, national, and international meets. His career was in the financial world, trading stocks and bonds.

Personal Bests: LJ – 7.11 (23-4) (1922); HT – 52.23 (171-4¼) (1922).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1920 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Jack Merchant
Long Jump, Men (Olympic) =11 r1/2
1924 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Jack Merchant
Hammer Throw, Men (Olympic) 9