Sidney James Montford Atkinson (14 March 1901 – 31 August 1977) was a South African

athlete An athlete (also sportsman or sportswoman) is a person who competes in one or more sports that involve physical strength, speed, or endurance. Athletes may be professionals or amateurs. Most professional athletes have particularly well-devel ...

, winner of 110 m hurdles at the

1928 Summer Olympics The 1928 Summer Olympics ( nl, Olympische Zomerspelen 1928), officially known as the Games of the IX Olympiad ( nl, Spelen van de IXe Olympiade) and commonly known as Amsterdam 1928, was an international multi-sport event that was celebrated from ...

. Atkinson came onto the international athletics scene in 1922, when he ran the 110 m hurdles in 15.2 and the 400 m hurdles in 56.5. He was also a notable

long jump The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a takeoff point. Along with the triple jump, the two events that measure jumping for distance as a gr ...

er. At the

1924 Summer Olympics The 1924 Summer Olympics (french: Jeux olympiques d'été de 1924), officially the Games of the VIII Olympiad (french: Jeux de la VIIIe olympiade) and also known as Paris 1924, were an international multi-sport event held in Paris, France. The op ...

, the favourite for the 110 m hurdles was

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

George Guthrie, but as the race started, Atkinson and another American

Daniel Kinsey Daniel Chapin Kinsey (January 22, 1902 – June 27, 1970) was an American hurdler and a scholar in physical education. Born in St. Louis, Kinsey attended the University of Illinois, studying education. He won the gold medal in the 110-Metre ...

got off to a quick start and ran nearly together until the eighth flight when Atkinson edged ahead. Atkinson clipped his toe on the last barrier, giving Kinsey enough of lead to break the tape and win the gold. Guthrie crashed through the barriers behind the two medalists and was disqualified. Atkinson reappeared at the next Olympics, finally getting his gold after the disappointment of 1924, beating the

world record A world record is usually the best global and most important performance that is ever recorded and officially verified in a specific skill, sport, or other kind of activity. The book ''Guinness World Records'' and other world records organization ...

holder Steve Anderson from the United States into second place.

References

1901 births 1977 deaths Sportspeople from Durban Colony of Natal people South African male hurdlers Athletes (track and field) at the 1924 Summer Olympics Athletes (track and field) at the 1928 Summer Olympics Olympic gold medalists for South Africa Olympic silver medalists for South Africa Olympic athletes for South Africa South African male long jumpers Medalists at the 1924 Summer Olympics Medalists at the 1928 Summer Olympics Olympic gold medalists in athletics (track and field) Olympic silver medalists in athletics (track and field) 20th-century South African people {{SouthAfrica-Olympic-medalist-stub