Photo by RUN 4 FFWPU
Introduction:
As Philadelphia moves toward the last Saturday in April, excitement builds as the city prepares for one of the oldest American sports traditions: the Penn Relays. Founded in 1895 at the University of Pennsylvania’s venerable Franklin Field, the Penn Relays has grown from a small college meet to an international event that attracts athletes and spectators from around the globe. The Penn Relays is a rigorous competition, with qualifying standards and levels of competition from high school to Olympic masters, that features many events, including relays (the 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m, and 4x800m) and field events (shot put, long jump, and pole vault), and has highlighted many athletic stars. Moreover, Black athletes have not only made their presence felt by competing or medaling, but they have also made their mark competing at Penn and attained recognition worldwide, entering the record books in the sport. As part of our reintroduction to the Penn Relays, we will honor all of these athletes and explore the history of the Penn Relays.
The History of the Penn Relays
The Penn Relays hold the title of one of the oldest and most prestigious track and field events in the United States with history dating back to April 21, 1895. It was founded by the University of Pennsylvania’s track coach, Larry Ellis, and held its first event at Franklin Field to promote track and field and was primarily focused on local high schools and colleges. Approximately 5,000 spectators were attending the first meet which included nine relay races.
Originally intended to be a local competition, the Penn Relays soon grew in size and popularity. By the 1900s, it began attracting national competitors, and soon, international competitors as it began to expand its scope and significance to the world stage. In 1910, the event began being billed as the Carnival to reflect the festive and colorful atmosphere around Franklin Field, where tent cities sprang up.
In 1914, a significant turning point occurred when Oxford University came across the Atlantic Ocean to compete, making the Penn Relays an international event. During this time, the relays continued to expand by adding events and age divisions. In 1964, women’s events began as a significant step towards fairness in women’s sports.
Having been around since the first years of the Penn Relays at Franklin Field, it has become one of the most dominant and storied track and field stadiums in the United States. The Penn Relays has helped popularize relay racing as a core event in track and field competitions. Nowadays, the Penn Relays has grown to routinely attract over 15,000 athletes each year from all levels, including high school stars as well as Olympic champions, and over three days in April, the crowds swell over 100,000. The introduction of the “USA vs. the World” series in 2000 increased the international appeal and focus of the event, which featured elite athletes from around the globe.
Because of the countless athletic accomplishments and record-setting performances it has produced, the Penn Relays has become more than a top sporting event: it is also a major cultural event, particularly in the Caribbean community. It represents the timeless tradition, social pride, and pursuit of excellence that embody athletic competition, and continues to evolve while still respecting its history.
Jesse Owens
One of America’s legendary athletes, Jesse Owens was a track and field athlete whose feat at the Berlin 1936 Olympics games brought him to stardom not only because of the four gold medals he won at the competition, but also because his success put a dent to the efforts of Hitler in his attempt to demonstrate Aryan superiority.
Before the Olympic games, Jesse Owens would compete in the Penn Relays by representing Ohio State. Not only were his performances excellent, but they also allowed him to prepare adequately enough to achieve the conquests he attained at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Source: Wikipedia
John Baxter Taylor
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania in 1908, John Baxter Taylor made history by winning an Olympic Gold Medal at the 1904 Olympics which was held in St Louis, Missouri, United State. Prior to that John Baxter Taylor had been a member of the Brown Prep team who had participated at the Prep School Championship at the Penn Relay and were famous for having not lost a race.
At the intercollegiate relay championship the games, John successfully competed and won the 440-yard run with a record of 49.1/5 seconds and 48.4/5 seconds in the same championship in 1907. He would go on to repeat a similar feat at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) championship where he would also win in the 440-yard race.
Source: Wikipedia
Usain Bolt
Born August 21,1986, Usain Bolt is probably considered the fastest man alive winning the 100- and 200-meter races in the Olympic games of 2008, 2012, and 2016. At the 116th Penn Relay games, Usain Bolt representing his mother country Jamaica won gold at the 4×100 meter relay. Since the existence of the competition, Usain Bolt has participated in the competition up to four times ensuring that he contributed to the competitions global appeal.
As an athlete in the Olympic competitions, Usain Bolt took the world by storm, especially at the Beijing Olympic games in 2008 where he made history with Carl Lewis by winning in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×100 relay setting world records of 9.69 sec,19.30 sec and 37.10 sec. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Usain-Bolt).
Source: Wikipedia
Okechukwu Nzeribe works with the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, in Anambra State, Nigeria, and loves unveiling the richness of African cultures. okechukwu.onicima@gmail.com
