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John Taylor (Runner)

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Athlete

The Resume

    (November 3, 1882-December 2, 1908)
    Born in Washington, District of Columbia
    Gold medal winner, Men's 4 X 400 medal relay
    Died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Why he might be annoying:

    He had spindly legs for a runner.
    He appeared to never smile in photos.
    During the 1908 London Games, he and American colleague protested the disqualification of a teammate by refusing to run, causing the only walkover in Olympic history.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was the first African American to win an Olympic gold medal.
    He was the sole black man on the Irish American Athletic Club at the University of Pennsylvania.
    He earned a doctorate in veterinary medicine.
    He succumbed to typhoid fever at 26, mere months after his groundbreaking feat.
    At his funeral, trainer Mike Murphey he was remembered as, 'the nicest man he had ever had to train; he never gave any bother, worked hard, and was always on time.'

Credit: Black Chic


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 13 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 10 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 24 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 20 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 21 Votes: 28.57% Annoying