Michael Sweeney (born 27 October 1872) was an Irish-American track and field athlete.[1] He was the high jumping world champion in 1892 and 1895. He was also the professional athletics champion at the 1900 Paris Olympics in the 100-meter dash, the high jump, and the long jump.[2]
Michael Sweeney performing a high jump (top) and long jump (bottom), in motion studies by Étienne-Jules Marey
He was the holder of the world high jump record at 1.97 m, and known as an innovator in the progress of high jump technique through his development of the eastern cut-off style.[3] After his high jumping career, Sweeney became a track and field coach at Yale, as well as at The Hill School.[4]
References
edit- ^ Michael Sweeney at Track and Field Statistics (registration required)
- ^ Joseph Lee and Marion R. Casey (2006). Making the Irish American: History and Heritage of the Irish in the United States. NYU Press. p. 449. ISBN 9780814752081.
- ^ Frank Zarnowski (2005). All-around Men: Heroes of a Forgotten Sport. Scarecrow Press. p. 123. ISBN 9780810854239. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
- ^ "Murphy to Leave Yale" (PDF). New York Times. May 30, 1905. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
