Charles Dvorak

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Competed in Olympic Games (non-medal events)
SexMale
Full nameCharles Edward•Dvorak
Used nameCharles•Dvorak
Born27 November 1878 in Chicago, Illinois (USA)
Died18 December 1969 in Seattle, Washington (USA)
AffiliationsMichigan Wolverines, Ann Arbor (USA) / Chicago AA, Chicago (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

From the University of Michigan, Charles Dvorak was unfortunate not to win an Olympic medal in 1900. He went to the field on the Sunday for which the event had been scheduled only to be told that, for sabattarian reasons, the event would not be held that day. It was held, however, and Irving Baxter won with a modest vault of 10-10 (3.30) after Dvorak and his two colleagues, Bascom Johnson and Daniel Horton, had left the scene. The following day a “consolation” event was held, which Horton won at 11-3¾ (3.45) with Dvorak second at 11-1¾ (3.39). Four years later in St. Louis, under more organized circumstances, Dvorak won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 11-6 (3.50) and had three failures at a new world record height of 12-2 (3.71). He also won the AAU in 1901 and 1903 and was in a six-way tie for first at the 1901 IC4A. He was the first vaulter to use a bamboo pole instead of the ash or hickory pole which had been in vogue for many years.

Personal Bests: PV – 11-9 (3.58) (1904).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1900 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Charles Dvorak
Pole Vault, Men (Olympic) DNS
Special Scratch Pole Vault #2, Men (Olympic (non-medal)) 2
1904 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Charles Dvorak
Pole Vault, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold