Arthur C. Blake

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameArthur Charles•Blake
Used nameArthur C.•Blake
Born26 January 1872 in Boston, Massachusetts (USA)
Died23 October 1944 in Boston, Massachusetts (USA)
AffiliationsBoston AA, Boston (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Indirectly Arthur Blake played a major part in the American participation at the first Modern Olympic Games. After winning a 1,000y race at Mechanic’s Hall in Boston in January 1896, he jokingly remarked, “Oh, I am too good for Boston. I ought to go over and run the marathon in Athens.” The remark was overheard by a stockbroker, Arthur Burnham, who offered to finance the trip of the U.S. team to Greece. Burnham did not finance the whole trip, but a substantial portion of it, and Blake’s remark was the impetus that brought him into the agreement. In Athens, Blake placed second in the 1,500 m with a time of 4:34.0, which was hardly comparable with his best times at home, where he held the Boston AA indoor record for the mile with 4:39.8. Blake, a Harvard grad (‘93), also ran the marathon in Athens, but dropped out after 14 miles. Arthur Blake settled in Dedham, Massachusetts, where he became a successful insurance salesman and a well-known golfer and sailor.

Personal Bests: 1500 – unknown; Mile – 4:39.8i (1895); Mar – unknown.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1896 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Arthur C. Blake
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
Marathon, Men (Olympic) DNF