Dennis Duigan

Away from his day job as a stock agent in Melbourne Dennis Duigan was a fine all-round track and field athlete who also played tennis, cricket, and Australia Rules football. At the 1923–24 national championships Duigan won the javelin throw and the decathlon to earn him a place at the Olympics. He became the first Australian Olympic decathlete when he competed at the 1924 Paris Games. Prior to participating in the decathlon he finished 10th in the pentathlon before competing in the decathlon a few days later. He was not prepared for the cinder tracks and suffered a torn ankle ligament during the high jump. Duigan’s injury forced him to retire during the hurdles after hitting one of the obstacles hard and inflaming the same ankle.

Personal Best: Dec – unknown.