Harry Goelitz Explained

Harry Goelitz
Full Name:Harry George Goelitz
Nationality:American
Sport:Athletics
Event:Decathlon
Birth Date:9 January 1894
Birth Place:Oak Park, Illinois, United States
Death Place:Oak Park, Illinois, United States
Height:5' 11"
Spouse:Mary Frierson Evans[1]
Children:4

Harry George Goelitz (January 9, 1894  - May 14, 1971) was an American athlete.[2] He competed in the men's decathlon at the 1920 Summer Olympics.[3]

Goelitz was trained at Oak Park and River Forest High School by Bob Zuppke, and at Mercersburg Academy by Jimmy Curran. In late 1913 he was thrown out of Mercersburg due to leaving the grounds without permission. He transferred to Keewatin Academy in Wisconsin.[4] [5]

In 1921 Goelitz's leg was crushed between a cement mixer and a road roller. He was rushed to hospital and recovered, but it is likely this accident ended his athletics career.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Harry Goelitz Weds Southern Belle, Oak Park Oak Leaves, June 9, 1917
  2. Web site: Harry Goelitz . Olympedia . 21 July 2021.
  3. Harry Goelitz Olympic Results . https://web.archive.org/web/20200418054309/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/go/harry-goelitz-1.html . dead . April 18, 2020 . January 24, 2018.
  4. School Dismisses Champion Athlete, Allentown Democrat, December 31, 1913
  5. Oak Park Pioneer Son Harry Goelitz Dies, Oak Park Oak Leaves, May 19, 1971
  6. Olympic Games Track Star Hurt by Road Roller, Chicago Tribune, November 11, 1921