Harold Smallwood

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameRobert Harold•Smallwood
Used nameHarold•Smallwood
Born24 March 1915 in San Luis Obispo, California (USA)
Died20 April 1985 in Oxnard, California (USA)
Measurements186 cm / 79 kg
AffiliationsUSC Trojans, Los Angeles (USA)
NOC United States

Biography

In 1936 Harold Smallwood won the AAU 400 and was placed third in the NCAAs, competing for Southern Cal, after he had started at Ventura Junior College. He was second at the 1936 US Olympic Trials, but was lucky to be able to run in Berlin. On the boat to Olympics he came down with an attack of appendicitis, but still competed, and then had surgery in Berlin after his competition. He developed complications from the surgery and in February 1937 was close to death with pleurisy, but was able to recover.

Smallwood captained the track team at Southern Cal in 1937-38. He later did some minor work as a film extra and stuntman.

Personal Best: 400 – 46.4 (1936).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1936 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Harold Smallwood
400 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 h1 r2/4
4 × 400 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) United States DNS