Arthur Sweeney

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameArthur Wellington•Sweeney
Used nameArthur•Sweeney
Born20 May 1909 in Dublin, Dublin (IRL)
Died27 December 1940 in Takoradi, Western (GHA)
Measurements175 cm / 70 kg
AffiliationsMilocarian Athletic Club, (GBR) / Royal Air Force, (GBR)
NOC Great Britain

Biography

Arthur Sweeney won both sprints on his international début against France, and the following weeks repeated the double at the 1934 British Empire Games. And he took the gold medal in the 1934 British Empire Games 4×110 yards relay (with Walter Rangeley and the non-Olympians Ernie Davis and George Saunders). Sweeney went on to win the AAA 100y (1935, 1939) and 220y (1936-37), and in 12 individual races in internatonial matches, he had a 6-6 win/loss record with of his defeated coming at the hands of British teammates (two by Cyril Holmes and one by Walter Rangeley). A regular officer in the Air Force, he won both sprints at the RAF Championships six times (1932, 1934-37, 1939). At the 1938 European Championships he finished fifth in the 100 metres and won the bronze medal in the 4×100 metres relay (with Godfrey Brown, Ernie Page, and the non-Olympian Maurice Scarr). His British records for 100m (10.4) and 220 (21.2) were not beaten until McDonald Bailey reached his peak. He was killed in a flying accident.

Personal Bests: 100y – 9.8 (1936/37/38); 100 – 10.4 (1937); 220y – 21.2 (1935).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1936 Summer Olympics Athletics GBR Arthur Sweeney
100 metres, Men (Olympic) 5 h2 r3/4
200 metres, Men (Olympic) 4 h3 r1/4
4 × 100 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) Great Britain DNS

Special Notes