Henry Carr

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameHenry William•Carr
Used nameHenry•Carr
Born27 November 1942 in Montgomery, Alabama (USA)
Died29 May 2015 in Griffin, Georgia (USA)
Measurements191 cm / 84 kg
AffiliationsPhoenix Olympic Club
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 2
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 2

Biography

Henry Carr won the NCAA 220y in 1963, running for Arizona State University, and tied for first place in the AAU. The following year, as a member of the Phoenix Olympic Club, he won the AAU outright and lowered the world record for the furlong to 20.2, having himself set the previous record of 20.3 in 1963. At the Tokyo Olympics he won the 200m in a new Olympic record of 20.3 and ran a 44.5 anchor leg in the 1,600 meter relay to bring the U.S. home in a new world record of 3:00.7. In two seasons (1963-64), Carr lost only two races at 200m/220y. Henry Carr went on to a good career in pro football as a defensive back with the New York Giants from 1965 through 1968. He later became a devout Christian and worked as a lay preacher as a Jehovah’s Witness.

Personal Bests: 100y – 9.3 (1963); 100 – 10.2 (1964); 200 – 20.1y (1964); 400 – 45.4 (1963).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1964 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Henry Carr
200 metres, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
4 × 400 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) United States 1 Gold

Special Notes