200 metres, Men

Charlie Paddock was again the favorite, having won the U.S. Olympic Trials and the 1919 Inter-Allied Championships. Great Britain’s Harry Edward had won the 1920 AAA Championship. The world record was 21.1, set by Britain’s William Applegarth in London in July 1914. Allen Woodring had finished only 5th in the U.S. Olympic Trial but was chosen to run the 200 ahead of George Massengale, who had finished 4th in the trials. Paddock led in the finals until about 180 metres, when Woodring shot past him to win. Edward might have run better had he not strained a muscle in the semi-finals.

Woodring was described in Barcs, as follows, “Allen, if he could avoid it, never spoke. He lived a very unsportmanslike life, and was one of the most studious and conscientious athletes. Actually, he arrived in Antwerp by accident. He was unable to win a place in the official selection contests and was included on the list only in the last minute. He trained with great diligence. So much so that his shoes fell apart, which was a major disaster. … Woodring was unable to obtain any track shoes. Finally, one of the other athletes loaned him his own ones, but only for the duration of the race.”