J. J. O'Brien

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJames Jay "J. J."•O'Brien
Used nameJ. J.•O'Brien
Born22 February 1883 in New York, New York (USA)
Died5 April 1940 in Palm Beach, Florida (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 2

Biography

In 1928 Jay O’Brien was head of the bobsled committee which was asked to select a team to compete at St. Moritz. O’Brien was faced with the problem of having no course in the United States on which to hold the tryouts so he selected the team among Americans who were in Europe at the time. O’Brien himself rode as a brakeman on the second place sled that year and returned four years later to add a gold medal. O’Brien was an investment banker and real estate broker, with holdings in both New York and Palm Beach. He was married three times, once to Mae Murray silent screen star; next to Irene Fenwick, another well-known actress; and lastly to Julie Fleischmann, heir to the Fleischmann Company fortune.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1928 Winter Olympics Bobsleigh (Bobsleigh) USA J. J. O'Brien
Four/Five, Men (Olympic) United States 1 2 Silver
1932 Winter Olympics Bobsleigh (Bobsleigh) USA J. J. O'Brien
Four, Men (Olympic) United States 1 1 Gold