United States at the 1920 Summer Olympics explained

Noc:USA
Nocname:American Olympic Committee
Games:Summer Olympics
Year:1920
Flagcaption:Flag of the United States
Location:Antwerp
Competitors:288 (274 men and 14 women)
Sports:18
Flagbearer:Pat McDonald
Rank:1
Gold:41
Silver:27
Bronze:27
Appearances:autof
See also:1906 Intercalated Games

The United States competed at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. 288 competitors, 274 men and 14 women, took part in 113 events in 18 sports.[1]

Medalists

MedalNameSportEvent
Charles PaddockAthleticsMen's 100 m
Allen WoodringAthleticsMen's 200 m
Frank LoomisAthleticsMen's 400 m hurdles
Charles Paddock
Jackson Scholz
Lorin Murchison
Morris Kirksey
AthleticsMen's 4 × 100 m relay
Horace Brown
Arlie Schardt
Ivan Dresser
AthleticsMen's 3000 m team race
Richmond LandonAthleticsMen's high jump
Frank FossAthleticsMen's pole vault
Patrick RyanAthleticsMen's hammer throw
Pat McDonaldAthleticsMen's 56 lb weight throw
RugbyMen's rugby union
Frankie GenaroBoxingMen's flyweight
Samuel MosbergBoxingMen's lightweight
Eddie EaganBoxingMen's light heavyweight
Louis KuehnDivingMen's 3 m springboard
Clarence PinkstonDivingMen's 10 m platform
Aileen RigginDivingWomen's 3 m springboard
John B. Kelly Sr.RowingMen's single sculls
Paul Costello
John B. Kelly Sr.
RowingMen's double sculls
Virgil Jacomini
Edwin Graves
William Jordan
Edward Moore
Alden Sanborn
Donald Johnston
Vince Gallagher
Clyde King
Sherm Clark
RowingMen's eight
Karl Frederick
Louis Harant
Michael Kelly
Alfred Lane
James H. Snook
ShootingMen's 30 m team military pistol
Karl FrederickShootingMen's 50 m free pistol
Raymond Bracken
Karl Frederick
Michael Kelly
Alfred Lane
James H. Snook
ShootingMen's 50 m team free pistol
Lawrence NuessleinShootingMen's 50 m small bore rifle
Dennis Fenton
Willis A. Lee
Lawrence Nuesslein
Arthur Rothrock
Oliver Schriver
ShootingMen's 50 m team small bore rifle
Morris FisherShootingMen's 300 m free rifle, 3 positions
Dennis Fenton
Morris Fisher
Willis A. Lee
Carl Osburn
Lloyd Spooner
ShootingMen's team free rifle
Morris Fisher
Joseph Jackson
Willis A. Lee
Carl Osburn
Lloyd Spooner
ShootingMen's 300 m team military rifle, prone
Carl OsbornShootingMen's 300 m military rifle, standing
Dennis Fenton
Joseph Jackson
Willis A. Lee
Oliver Schriver
Lloyd Spooner
ShootingMen's 600 m team military rifle, prone
Joseph Jackson
Willis A. Lee
Carl Osburn
Oliver Schriver
Lloyd Spooner
ShootingMen's 300 + 600 m team military rifle, prone
Mark ArieShootingMen's trap
Mark Arie
Horace Bonser
Jay Clark
Forest McNeir
Frank Troeh
Frank Wright
ShootingMen's team clay pigeons
Duke KahanamokuSwimmingMen's 100 m freestyle
Norman RossSwimmingMen's 400 m freestyle
Norman RossSwimmingMen's 1500 m freestyle
Warren KealohaSwimmingMen's 100 m backstroke
Duke Kahanamoku
Pua Kealoha
Perry McGillivray
Norman Ross
SwimmingMen's 4 × 200 m freestyle relay
Ethelda BleibtreySwimmingWomen's 100 m freestyle
Ethelda BleibtreySwimmingWomen's 300 m freestyle
Ethelda Bleibtrey
Irene Guest
Frances Schroth
Margaret Woodbridge
SwimmingWomen's 4 × 100 m freestyle relay
Charles AckerlyWrestlingMen's featherweight
Morris KirkseyAthleticsMen's 100 m
Charles PaddockAthleticsMen's 200 m
Earl EbyAthleticsMen's 800 m
Harold BarronAthleticsMen's 110 m hurdles
John NortonAthleticsMen's 400 m hurdles
Patrick FlynnAthleticsMen's 3000 m steeplechase
Joseph PearmanAthleticsMen's 10 km walk
Carl JohnsonAthleticsMen's long jump
Harold MullerAthleticsMen's high jump
Patrick RyanAthleticsMen's 56 lb weight throw
Everett BradleyAthleticsMen's pentathlon
Brutus HamiltonAthleticsMen's decathlon
Clarence PinkstonDivingMen's 3 m springboard
Helen WainwrightDivingWomen's 3 m springboard
Ken Myers
Carl Klose
Franz Federschmidt
Erich Federschmidt
Sherm Clark
RowingMen's coxed four
Raymond BrackenShootingMen's 30 m military pistol
Arthur RothrockShootingMen's 50 m small bore rifle
Thomas Brown
Willis A. Lee
Lawrence Nuesslein
Carl Osburn
Lloyd Spooner
ShootingMen's 300 m team military rifle, standing
Frank TroehShootingMen's trap
Pua KealohaSwimmingMen's 100 m freestyle
Ludy LangerSwimmingMen's 400 m freestyle
Ray KegerisSwimmingMen's 100 m backstroke
Irene GuestSwimmingWomen's 100 m freestyle
Margaret WoodbridgeSwimmingWomen's 300 m freestyle
Sam GersonWrestlingMen's featherweight
Nat PendletonWrestlingMen's heavyweight
United States men's national ice hockey team
Raymond Bonney
Anthony Conroy
Herbert Drury
Edward Fitzgerald
George Geran
Frank Goheen
Joseph McCormick
Lawrence McCormick
Frank Synott
Leon Tuck
Cyril Weidenborner
Ice HockeyMen's competition
Lawrence ShieldsAthleticsMen's 1500 m
Feg MurrayAthleticsMen's 110 m hurdles
August DeschAthleticsMen's 400 m hurdles
Richard RemerAthleticsMen's 3 km walk
Edwin MyersAthleticsMen's pole vault
Harry LiversedgeAthleticsMen's shot put
Gus PopeAthleticsMen's discus throw
Basil BennettAthleticsMen's hammer throw
Frederick ColbergBoxingMen's welterweight
Louis BalbachDivingMen's 3 m springboard
Harry PriesteDivingMen's 10 m platform
Thelma PayneDivingWomen's 3 m springboard
Alfred LaneShootingMen's 50 m free pistol
Dennis FentonShootingMen's 50 m small bore rifle
Lawrence NuessleinShootingMen's 300 m military rifle, standing
Lloyd SpoonerShootingMen's 600 m military rifle, prone
Thomas Brown
Willis A. Lee
Lawrence Nuesslein
Carl Osburn
Lloyd Spooner
ShootingMen's 100 m team running deer, single shots
Frank WrightShootingMen's trap
Bill HarrisSwimmingMen's 100 m freestyle
Frances SchrothSwimmingWomen's 100 m freestyle
Frances SchrothSwimmingWomen's 300 m freestyle
Charley JohnsonWrestlingMen's middleweight
Walter MaurerWrestlingMen's light heavyweight
Fred MeyerWrestlingMen's heavyweight
Francis Honeycutt
Arthur Lyon
Robert Sears
Henry Breckinridge
Harold Rayner
FencingMen's team foil

Arthur Harris
Terry Allen
John Montgomery
Nelson Margetts
PoloMen's competition
Theresa WeldFigure SkatingWomen's singles

Background: voyage to Antwerp

Beginning July 26, 1920, a majority of the U.S. Olympic contingent destined for the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium, endured a troubled transatlantic journey aboard Princess Matoika. The voyage and the events on board, later called the "Mutiny of the Matoika", were still being discussed in the popular press years later. The Matoika was a last-minute substitute for another ship and, according to the athletes, did not have adequate accommodations or training facilities on board.[2] The conditions on the Princess Matoika were terrible, as the hold reeked of formaldehyde from the dead bodies of the recently deceased American World War I soldiers, and there was no place to train. Furthermore, the athletes were dissatisfied with the quality of food and huge numbers of rats present on the ship.[3] Near the end of the voyage, the athletes published a list of grievances and demands and distributed copies of the document to the United States Secretary of War, the American Olympic Committee members, and the press. Among these were the demands for better accommodations in Antwerp, cabin passage home, and railroad fare from New York to their home cities.[4] The incident received wide coverage in American newspapers at the time.[5]

Aquatics

Diving

See main article: Diving at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Fourteen divers, seven men and seven women, represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's fourth appearance in the sport; the United States was the only nation to have competed at each Olympic diving contest to that point. The Americans won their first gold medals in the sport since 1904, winning championships in three of the five diving events in 1920. The team swept both the men's and women's springboard events (though only Americans competed in the women's springboard), and added a gold and a bronze in the men's platform. Pinkston was the only diver from any nation in 1920 to win multiple medals.

Men

Ranks given are within the semifinal group.

DiverEventSemifinalsFinal
PointsScoreRankPointsScoreRank
Louis Balbach3 m springboard8630.802 Q15649.50
10 m platform17409.153 Q28424.006
Richard BeauchampPlain high dive23135.06align=center colspan=3did not advance
Louis Kuehn3 m springboard7628.151 Q10675.40
Frank MullenPlain high dive27144.06align=center colspan=3did not advance
Clarence Pinkston3 m springboard8622.702 Q11655.30
10 m platform10443.002 Q7503.30
Harry Prieste10 m platform17441.803 Q16468.65
Plain high dive18149.54align=center colspan=3did not advance
Clyde Swendsen10 m platform26414.806align=center colspan=3did not advance
Plain high dive25148.05align=center colspan=3did not advance
Women

Ranks given are within the semifinal group.

DiverEventSemifinalsFinal
PointsScoreRankPointsScoreRank
Aileen Allen3 m springboardalign=center colspan=3N/A20489.94
Betty Grimes10 m platform13156.02 Q30133.56
Alice Lord10 m platform35118.57align=center colspan=3did not advance
Helen Meany10 m platform23145.05align=center colspan=3did not advance
Thelma Payne3 m springboardalign=center colspan=3N/A12534.1
Aileen Riggin3 m springboardalign=center colspan=3N/A9539.9
10 m platform15155.52 Q20157.05
Helen Wainwright3 m springboardalign=center colspan=3N/A9534.8

Swimming

See main article: Swimming at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Twenty-two swimmers, sixteen men and six women, represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's sixth appearance in the sport; the United States was the only nation to have competed in every Olympic swimming edition to that point. The Americans took eight of the ten gold medals, along with five silvers and three bronzes. This gave the team more than half of the available medals—16 out of 30; more than three times the next-best country. Eleven different Americans finished with at least one medal. Furthermore, the United States set five new world records and tied another.

On the men's side, Kahanamoku set a new Olympic record in the quarterfinals of the 100 free, then tied the world record twice in the semis and the final as the Americans swept the medals in that event. Ross took a pair of gold medals in the other two freestyle events. Kegeris briefly took the Olympic record in the 100 metre backstroke semifinals before Warren Kealoha broke the world record in the second semifinal; Kealoha took gold and Kegeris silver in the final. The relay team also set a world record in winning the gold medal.

On the women's side, Schroth, like Kegeris, briefly held an Olympic record in the 100 free before Bleibtrey broke the world record in a later semifinal. Bleibtrey bettered her own new record, leading the American women to a sweep of the medals in that event. Bleibtrey took her second world record and second gold medal in the 300 free, as the Americans swept that event as well. Her third gold medal and third world record came as part of the 4x100 free relay team along with Schroth, Guest, and Woodbridge.

Ranks given are within the heat.

Men
SwimmerEventQuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinal
ResultRankResultRankResultRank
Eugene Bolden1500 m free23:41.22 Q23:26.43 q24:04.35
Bill Harris100 m free1:04.41 Q1:04.22 Q1:03.0
400 m free5:57.81 Q5:36.03align=center colspan=2did not advance
Jack Howell200 m breast3:09.81 Q3:10.81 QUnknown4
400 m breast6:57.01 Q6:51.43 q6:51.04
Duke Kahanamoku100 m free1:01.8 OR1 Q1:01.4 =WR1 Q1:01.4 =WR
Fred Kahele400 m free5:37.42 Q5:35.82 QUnknown4
1500 m free23:41.62 Q23:23.02 Q23:59.14
Pua Kealoha100 m free1:02.01 Q1:02.41 Q1:02.6
Warren Kealoha100 m backalign=center colspan=2N/A1:14.8 WR1 Q1:15.2
Ray Kegeris100 m backalign=center colspan=2N/A1:17.8 OR1 Q1:16.8
Harold Kruger100 m backalign=center colspan=2N/A1:19.02 QUnknown5
Ludy Langer400 m free5:41.11 Q5:29.22 Q5:29.0
1500 m free24:28.81 QUnknown4align=center colspan=2did not advance
Mike McDermott200 m breast3:16.42 QUnknown4align=center colspan=2did not advance
400 m breast7:12.83 q7:13.23align=center colspan=2did not advance
Perry McGillivray100 m backalign=center colspan=2N/A1:20.43 q1:19.44
Charles Quinby400 m breastUnknown4align=center colspan=4did not advance
Norman Ross100 m free1:04.21 Q1:04.81 Qalign=center colspan=2Disqualified
400 m free6:16.21 Q5:33.81 Q5:26.8
1500 m free24:08.21 Q23:12.01 Q22:23.2
Stephen Ruddy200 m breastUnknown4align=center colspan=4did not advance
400 m breast7:13.03align=center colspan=4did not advance
Herbert Taylor200 m breastUnknown4align=center colspan=4did not advance
Duke Kahanamoku
Pua Kealoha
Perry McGillivray
Norman Ross
4 × 200 m free relayalign=center colspan=2N/A10:20.41 Q10:04.4 WR
Women
SwimmerEventSemifinalsFinal
ResultRankResultRank
Ethelda Bleibtrey100 m free1:14.4 WR1 Q1:13.6 WR
300 m free4:41.4 WR1 Q4:34.0 WR
Charlotte Boyle100 m free1:20.42 Qalign=center colspan=2did not finish
Irene Guest100 m free1:18.81 Q1:17.0
Frances Schroth100 m free1:18.0 OR1 Q1:17.2
300 m free5:03.22 Q4:52.0
Eleanor Uhl300 m free5:02.01 QUnknown5
Margaret Woodbridge300 m free4:56.61 Q4:42.8
Ethelda Bleibtrey
Irene Guest
Frances Schroth
Margaret Woodbridge
4 × 100 m free relayalign=center colspan=2N/A5:11.6 WR

Water polo

See main article: Water polo at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

The United States competed in the Olympic water polo tournament for the second time in 1920. The Bergvall System was in use at the time. The Americans shut out Greece in the quarterfinals, advancing to the semifinals. They were defeated there by a dominant Great Britain side, which went on to win the gold medal. This gave the United States an opportunity to play for the silver under the Bergvall System. In the silver medal semifinals, they shut out Spain, but were again stymied in a loss to Belgium in the silver medal match. With one last chance at a medal, the Americans again defeated Greece in the bronze medal semifinals. In the bronze medal match, however, the team was shut out by Sweden.

Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Silver medal semifinals
Silver medal match
Bronze medal semifinals
Bronze medal match
Final rank: 4th

Athletics

See main article: Athletics at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

90 athletes represented the United States in 1920. It was the sixth appearance of the nation in athletics, a sport in which the United States had competed at every Games. The American team, used to dominance of the sport, was seriously challenged for the first time. The nine gold medals won by the team tied the mark for fewest the nation had ever won, matching the 1896 total (when only 12 events, rather than 29, were contested). Finland matched the United States gold medal for gold medal, the first time any other nation had done so and the last time until the 1972 Games. The depth of the American team allowed the team to collect twelve silver and eight bronze medals as well (the United States's 29 total medals nearly doubled the 16 of Finland), allowing the team to remain on top of the athletics medals leader board yet again.

Ranks given are within the heat.

AthleteEventHeatsQuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinal
ResultRankResultRankResultRankResultRank
Dan AhearnTriple jump13.756 Qalign=center colspan=4 14.086
Milton AngierJavelin throw57.589 Qalign=center colspan=4 59.2757
Harold Barron110 m hurdlesalign=center colspan=2 15.21 Q15.0 =WR1 Q15.1
William BartlettDiscus throw40.8754align=center colspan=4 40.8755
Basil BennettHammer throw48.252 Qalign=center colspan=4 48.25
George BihlmanShot put13.5757align=center colspan=4 align=center colspan=2did not advance
Max BohlandCross countryalign=center colspan=6 16
Everett BradleyPentathlonalign=center colspan=6 24
Horace Brown5000 malign=center colspan=4 15:31.83 Qalign=center colspan=2did not finish
Sol ButlerLong jump6.607align=center colspan=4 align=center colspan=2did not advance
Thomas Campbell800 malign=center colspan=2 1:59.12 Q1:57.62 Qalign=center colspan=2did not finish
Howard CannShot put13.528align=center colspan=4 align=center colspan=2did not advance
James Connolly1500 malign=center colspan=4 4:10.03 Qalign=center colspan=2did not finish
George Cornetta10000 malign=center colspan=4 9align=center colspan=2did not advance
Robert CrawfordCross countryalign=center colspan=6 40
Edward Curtis1500 malign=center colspan=4 align=center colspan=2did not finishalign=center colspan=2did not advance
Charles Daggs400 m hurdlesalign=center colspan=2 56.72 Q55.83 Q55.76
August Desch400 m hurdlesalign=center colspan=2 57.61 Q55.41 Q54.7
Michael Devaney3000 m steeplechasealign=center colspan=4 10:23.0 OR1 Q10:34.35
Ivan Dresser5000 malign=center colspan=4 15:41.63 Qalign=center colspan=2did not finish
Robert DunnePentathlonalign=center colspan=6 align=center colspan=2did not finish
Earl Eby800 malign=center colspan=2 1:56.83 Q1:57.02 Q1:53.6
Everett EllisDecathlonalign=center colspan=6 align=center colspan=2did not finish
Robert Emery400 m52.61 Q50.73 Q50.24align=center colspan=2did not advance
Frederick Faller10000 malign=center colspan=4 33:02.44 Q32:38.08
Cross countryalign=center colspan=6 15
Patrick Flynn3000 m steeplechasealign=center colspan=4 10:36.01 Q10:21.1
Cross countryalign=center colspan=6 28:12.09
Frank FossPole vault3.601 Qalign=center colspan=4 4.09 WR
Clifford Furnas5000 malign=center colspan=4 15:23.04 Qalign=center colspan=2did not finish
Kaufman GeistTriple jump13.5212align=center colspan=4 align=center colspan=2did not advance
Harry GoelitzDecathlonalign=center colspan=6 align=center colspan=2did not finish
Brutus HamiltonPentathlonalign=center colspan=6 276
Decathlonalign=center colspan=6 6771.085
Albert Hulsebosch3000 m steeplechasealign=center colspan=4 10:26.83 Q10:37.76
Charles Hunter5000 malign=center colspan=4 5align=center colspan=2did not advance
Clarence JaquithTriple jump13.0415align=center colspan=4 align=center colspan=2did not advance
Eldon JennePole vault3.601 Qalign=center colspan=4 3.607
Carl JohnsonLong jump6.823 Qalign=center colspan=4 7.095
Richard Johnson10000 malign=center colspan=4 8align=center colspan=2did not advance
Morris Kirksey100 m11.01 Q10.81 Q11.03 Q10.9
200 m23.41 Q22.61 Q22.54align=center colspan=2did not advance
Edward KnourekPole vault3.601 Qalign=center colspan=4 3.604
Sherman LandersTriple jump14.004 Qalign=center colspan=4 14.175
Richmond LandonHigh jump1.801 Qalign=center colspan=4 1.936
Robert LeGendrePentathlonalign=center colspan=6 264
James LincolnJavelin throw57.868 Qalign=center colspan=4 57.869
Carl LinderMarathonalign=center colspan=6 2:44:21.211
Harry LiversedgeShot put13.7554 Qalign=center colspan=4 14.15
Frank Loomis400 m hurdlesalign=center colspan=2 55.81 Q55.41 Q54.0 WR
Jack MahanJavelin throw53.5212align=center colspan=4 align=center colspan=2did not advance
Thomas Maroney3 km walkalign=center colspan=4 13:52.13 Q13:25.05
10 km walkalign=center colspan=4 51:54.63 Q50:24.46
Pat McDonaldShot put14.082 Qalign=center colspan=4 14.084
56 lb weight throw11.001 Qalign=center colspan=4 11.265 OR
James McEachernHammer throw44.708align=center colspan=4 align=center colspan=2did not advance
56 lb weight throw8.8410align=center colspan=4 align=center colspan=2did not advance
Matt McGrathHammer throw46.675 Qalign=center colspan=4 46.675
Charles MellorMarathonalign=center colspan=6 2:45:30.012
John MerchantLong jump6.5011align=center colspan=4 align=center colspan=2did not advance
Ted Meredith400 m51.61 Q50.83 Q50.64align=center colspan=2did not advance
Harold MullerHigh jump1.801 Qalign=center colspan=4 1.90
Loren Murchison100 m10.81 Q10.92 Q11.03 Q11.26
200 m23.21 Q22.81 Q22.41 Q22.24
John MurphyHigh jump1.801 Qalign=center colspan=4 1.855
Feg Murray110 m hurdlesalign=center colspan=2 15.81 Q15.22 Q15.1
Edwin MyersPole vault3.601 Qalign=center colspan=4 3.60
John Norton400 m hurdlesalign=center colspan=2 57.61 Q56.23 Q54.6
Joseph OrganMarathonalign=center colspan=6 2:41:30.07
Charlie Paddock100 m10.81 Q10.81 Q10.81 Q10.6 =OR
200 m23.21 Q22.92 Q22.52 Q22.0
Amisoli Patisoni10000 malign=center colspan=4 align=center colspan=2did not finishalign=center colspan=2did not advance
Cross countryalign=center colspan=6 align=center colspan=2did not finish
Joseph Pearman3 km walkalign=center colspan=4 align=center colspan=2Disqualifiedalign=center colspan=2did not advance
10 km walkalign=center colspan=4 47:30.02 Q49:40.2
William Plant10 km walkalign=center colspan=4 52:18.34 Qalign=center colspan=2did not start
Gus PopeDiscus throw42.133 Qalign=center colspan=4 42.13
Joie Ray1500 malign=center colspan=4 4:13.41 Q4:13.08
Richard Remer3 km walkalign=center colspan=4 13:54.13 Q13:22.2
Edward Roberts56 lb weight throw9.367align=center colspan=4 align=center colspan=2did not advance
Winfred Rolker3 km walkalign=center colspan=4 13:59.84 Q13:30.48
10 km walkalign=center colspan=4 7align=center colspan=2did not advance
Frank RothMarathonalign=center colspan=6 align=center colspan=2did not finish
Patrick RyanHammer throw52.8751 Qalign=center colspan=4 52.875
56 lb weight throw10.9252 Qalign=center colspan=4 10.965
George Schiller400 m50.41 Q51.12 Q5align=center colspan=2did not advance
Jackson Scholz100 m10.81 Q10.81 Q10.92 Q10.94
Donald Scott800 malign=center colspan=2 1:56.92 Q1:57.21 Q1:54.65
Frank Shea400 m50.81 Q51.01 Q50.01 Q50.44
Lawrence Shields1500 malign=center colspan=4 4:07.43 Q4:04.3
Walker Smith110 m hurdlesalign=center colspan=2 15.81 Q15.22 Q15.35
Albert Sprott800 malign=center colspan=2 2:01.52 Q1:58.63 Q1:55.46
Dink TempletonLong jump6.675 Qalign=center colspan=4 6.954
Arthur TuckJavelin throw53.7811align=center colspan=4 align=center colspan=2did not advance
Eugene VidalDecathlonalign=center colspan=6 6358.5707
Lewis WatsonCross countryalign=center colspan=6 Unknown34
Ray Watson3000 m steeplechasealign=center colspan=4 10:49.03 Q10:50.38
Walter WhalenHigh jump1.801 Qalign=center colspan=4 1.854
Kenneth WilsonDiscus throw37.5810align=center colspan=4 align=center colspan=2did not advance
Allen Woodring200 m22.81 Q22.12 Q22.41 Q22.0
William Yount110 m hurdlesalign=center colspan=2 15.61 Q5align=center colspan=2did not advance
Max Bohland
Frederick Faller
Patrick Flynn
Team cross countryalign=center colspan=6 364
George Bretnall
Ted Meredith
George Schiller
Frank Shea
4 × 400 m relayalign=center colspan=4 3:40.72 Q3:23.64
Morris Kirksey
Loren Murchison
Charlie Paddock
Jackson Scholz
4 × 100 m relayalign=center colspan=4 43.01 Q42.2 WR
Horace Brown
Michael Devaney
Ivan Dresser
Arlie Schardt
Lawrence Shields
3000 m teamalign=center colspan=4 142 Q10

Boxing

See main article: Boxing at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

16 boxers represented the United States at the 1920 Games. It was the nation's second appearance in boxing. The American team was one of two to send the maximum number of boxers, two in each weight class, along with Great Britain. The Americans' three gold medals was the best of any nation, but their four total medals was only the third most.

BoxerWeight classRound of 32Round of 16QuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinal / Bronze match
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Rank
Frank CassidyLightweightN/A
W

L
align=center colspan=2did not advance5
William ClarkWelterweightBye
W

W

L

L
4
Frederick ColbergWelterweightBye
W

W

L

W
Joseph CranstonMiddleweightBye
L
align=center colspan=3did not advance9
Eddie EaganLight heavyweightN/ABye
W

W

W
George EtzellFeatherweightBye
L
align=center colspan=3did not advance9
Frankie GenaroFlyweightN/A
W

W

W

W
Edward HartmanBantamweightN/A
W

L
align=center colspan=2did not advance5
Samuel LagoniaMiddleweightBye
W

L
align=center colspan=2did not advance5
Samuel MosbergLightweightN/A
W

W

W

W
Edwin SchellLight heavyweightN/A
W

L
align=center colspan=2did not advance5
William SpenglerHeavyweightN/ABye
W

L

L
4
Samuel StewartHeavyweightN/ABye
L
align=center colspan=2did not advance5
Sam VogelBantamweightN/A
W

L
align=center colspan=2did not advance5
Jack ZivicFeatherweightByeBye
L
align=center colspan=2did not advance5
Peter ZivicFlyweightN/A
W

L
align=center colspan=2did not advance5
Opponent nation Wins Losses Percent
2 1 .667
0 1 .000
3 4 .429
5 2 .714
3 4 .429
2 0 1.000
4 1 .800
3 1 .750
Total international 22 14 .611
1 1 .500
Total 23 15 .605
Round Wins Losses Percent
Round of 32 0 0
Round of 16 10 2 .833
Quarterfinals 6 8 .429
Semifinals 3 3 .500
Final 3 0 1.000
Bronze match 1 2 .333
Total 23 15 .605

Cycling

See main article: Cycling at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Nine cyclists represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's fifth appearance in the sport. Taylor's semifinal qualification in the sprint was the best result on the cycling track for the Americans, with Kockler's 13th-place finish in the individual time trial the best American result in road cycling, leading the American road cyclists to a 7th place team total.

Road cycling

CyclistEventFinal
ResultRank
James FreemanTime trial5:29:26.237
Ernest KocklerTime trial4:55:12.213
August NogaraTime trial5:20:08.030
John OttoTime trial5:47:50.242
James Freeman
Ernest Kockler
August Nogara
John Otto
Team time trial21:32:36.67

Track cycling

Ranks given are within the heat.

CyclistEventHeatsQuarterfinalsRepechage semisRepechage finalSemifinalsFinal
ResultRankResultRankResultRankResultRankResultRankResultRank
William BeckSprintUnknown3align=center colspan=10did not advance
50 kmalign=center colspan=10N/Aalign=center colspan=2did not finish
Christopher DotterweichSprintUnknown2 QUnknown2 RUnknown2align=center colspan=6did not advance
Frank Small50 kmalign=center colspan=10N/Aalign=center colspan=2did not finish
Fred TaylorSprint13.21 Q13.01 Qalign=center colspan=4Advanced directly15.22align=center colspan=2did not advance
50 kmalign=center colspan=10N/Aalign=center colspan=2did not finish
Anthony YoungSprint13.21 QUnknown2 Ralign=center colspan=2Disqualifiedalign=center colspan=6did not advance
50 kmalign=center colspan=10N/Aalign=center colspan=2did not finish
William Beck
Christopher Dotterweich
Fred Taylor
Anthony Young
Team pursuitalign=center colspan=2N/AUnknown2align=center colspan=4N/Aalign=center colspan=4did not advance

Equestrian

See main article: Equestrian at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Eight equestrians represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's third appearance in the sport, having been one of three countries (along with Belgium and France) to have appeared at every Olympic equestrian competition to that point. The Americans earned no medals in 1920, unable to add to the bronze won in 1912. The team's best individual result was Chamberlin's sixth place in the eventing; the eventing team took fourth place. In a somewhat unusual result, all three of the American dressage competitors earned exactly the same score.

EquestrianHorseEventFinal
ResultRank
Henry AllenDonJumping7.007
John Burke BarryChiswellDressage19.312514
RavenEventing1350.0016
Harry ChamberlinHarebellDressage19.312514
NigraEventing1568.756
Sloan DoakSinglenDressage19.312514
DeceiveEventingalign=center colspan=2did not finish
John DownerDickJumping8.5012
William WestBlack BoyEventing1558.757
PrinceJumping12.0018
John Burke Barry
Harry Chamberlin
Sloan Doak
William West
Raven
Nigra
Deceive
Black Boy
Team eventing4477.504
Harry Chamberlin
Sloan Doak
Vincent Erwin
Karl Greenwald
Nigra
Rabbit Red
Joffre
Moses
Team jumping42.005

Fencing

See main article: Fencing at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Nineteen fencers represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's fourth appearance in the sport. The Americans won a single medal, the bronze in the team foil. It was the country's first fencing medal since hosting the Games in 1904. None of the individual fencers reached an event final, though both teams which had to compete in semifinals did advance.

Ranks given are within the group.

FencerEventFirst roundQuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinal
ResultRankResultRankResultRankResultRank
Millard BloomerFoilalign=center colspan=2N/A4–45align=center colspan=4did not advance
Roscoe BowmanSabrealign=center colspan=2N/A3–57align=center colspan=4did not advance
Henry BreckinridgeÉpée6–21 Q5–35 Q3–810align=center colspan=2did not advance
Foilalign=center colspan=2N/A2–44align=center colspan=4did not advance
George CalnanFoilalign=center colspan=2N/A1–45align=center colspan=4did not advance
Frederick CunninghamSabrealign=center colspan=2N/A1–79align=center colspan=4did not advance
John DimondÉpée2–47align=center colspan=6did not advance
Sabrealign=center colspan=2N/A1–68align=center colspan=4did not advance
Raymond DutcherÉpée3–67align=center colspan=6did not advance
Edwin FullinwiderSabrealign=center colspan=2N/A2–56align=center colspan=4did not advance
Francis HoneycuttFoilalign=center colspan=2N/A2–23 Q0–56align=center colspan=2did not advance
Arthur LyonSabrealign=center colspan=2N/A1–68align=center colspan=4did not advance
Joseph ParkerFoilalign=center colspan=2N/A3–56align=center colspan=4did not advance
Sabrealign=center colspan=2N/A4–34 Q1–56align=center colspan=2did not advance
William RussellÉpée3–45 Q6–53 Q2–910align=center colspan=2did not advance
Leonard SchoonmakerÉpée0–89align=center colspan=6did not advance
Foilalign=center colspan=2N/A0–56align=center colspan=4did not advance
Claiborne WalkerSabrealign=center colspan=2N/A2–46align=center colspan=4did not advance
Henry Breckinridge
Francis Honeycutt
Arthur Lyon
Harold Rayner
Robert Sears
Team foilalign=center colspan=4N/A1–02 Q2–2
Henry Breckinridge
Ray Dutcher
Arthur Lyon
Harold Rayner
William Russell
Robert Sears
Team épée[6] align=center colspan=4N/A2–33 Q0–56
Roscoe Bowman
Frederick Cunningham
John Dimond
Bradford Fraley
Edwin Fullinwider
Arthur Lyon
Brooks Parker
Claiborne Walker
Team sabrealign=center colspan=6N/A3–45

Gymnastics

See main article: Gymnastics at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Four gymnasts represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's second appearance in the sport, and first since hosting the Games in 1904.

Artistic gymnastics

GymnastEventFinal
ResultRank
Bjørne JorgensenAll-around76.7121
Paul KrempelAll-around78.0020
Frank KrizAll-around83.1010
John MaisAll-around74.1023

Ice hockey

See main article: Ice hockey at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

The United States competed in the inaugural Olympic ice hockey tournament. The team cruised through its quarterfinal, beating Switzerland 29–0. The Americans met Canada in a semifinal matchup; the two were clearly the best teams in the tournament. Canada came out the better, winning 2–0 to send the United States into the silver medal tournament. There, the Americans beat Sweden and Czechoslovakia by a combined score of 23–0 to emerge winners of the silver medal, using the Bergvall System.

RosterCoach: Cornelius Fellowes
Pos Player GP G Birthdate Age Club[7]
G 2 0 28 Pittsburgh AA
F 4 10 24 St. Paul AC
R 4 14 24 Pittsburgh AA
D 2 1 29 St. Paul AC
D 2 3 23 Boston AA
R 4 7 26 St. Paul AC
F 3 8 26 Pittsburgh AA
F 1 7 29 Pittsburgh AA
R 2 1 28 Boston AA
D 2 1 28 Boston AA
G 2 0 25 St. Paul AC
Gold medal Quarterfinals
Gold medal semifinals
Silver medal semifinals
Silver medal match
Final rank: Silver

Modern pentathlon

See main article: Modern pentathlon at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Two pentathletes represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's second appearance in the sport, having competed at both instances of the Olympic modern pentathlon.

A point-for-place system was used, with the lowest total score winning.

PentathleteFinal
RidingFencingShootingSwimmingRunningTotalRank
Harold Rayner51213144486
Robert Sears3891120518

Polo

See main article: Polo at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

The United States competed in the Olympic polo tournament for the second time. The team took the bronze medal, losing to Spain in the semifinals but defeating Belgium in the bronze medal match.

Semifinals
Final
Final rank: Bronze

Rowing

See main article: Rowing at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Fifteen rowers represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's third appearance in the sport. Three of the four boats took gold medals, with the fourth having to settle for silver after a 4-second loss to Switzerland in the coxed fours final.

Ranks given are within the heat.

RowerCoxEventQuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinal
ResultRankResultRankResultRank
John B. Kelly Sr.N/ASingle sculls7:44.21 Q7:46.21 Q7:35.0
Paul Costello
Jack Kelly
N/ADouble scullsalign=center colspan=2N/A7:16.81 Q7:09.0
Erich Federschmidt
Franz Federschmidt
Carl Klose
Ken Myers
Sherm ClarkCoxed fouralign=center colspan=2N/A7:17.41 Q6:58.0
Vince Gallagher
Edwin Graves
Virgil Jacomini
Donald Johnston
William Jordan
Clyde King
Edward Moore
Alden Sanborn
Sherm ClarkEight6:24.01 Q6:24.01 Q6:05.0

Rugby union

See main article: Rugby union at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

The United States competed in the Olympic rugby tournament for the first time. They faced France in the only match of the tournament, as the two countries were the only ones to compete. The Americans won the match to take the gold medal.

Final
Final rank: Gold

Skating

Figure skating

See main article: Figure skating at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Two figure skaters represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's second appearance in the sport; Sweden was one of three countries to compete in both Summer Olympics figure skating competitions. Weld took the bronze medal in the ladies' singles, with Niles finishing sixth in the men's. The two took fourth place in the pairs competition.

SkaterEventFinal
ResultRank
Nathaniel NilesMen's singles49.06
Theresa WeldLadies' singles15.5
Nathaniel Niles
Theresa Weld
Pairs28.54

Shooting

See main article: Shooting at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Twenty-nine shooters represented the United States in 1920. It was the nation's fourth appearance in the sport. The country took 13 of 21 gold medals, won at least one medal in 18 of the 21 events, and finished with 23 medals—more than twice Norway's 11, which was second-best. The American teams took gold medals in 8 of the 11 team events, with a silver, a bronze, and a fourth-place finish rounding out its team results. In individual competitions, the United States won five golds, three silvers, and five bronzes. Twelve men won individual medals (Nuesslein was the only American shooter to win multiple individual medals), and ten more received medals as parts of teams.

They swept the individual small-bore rifle medals, as well as taking the gold medal in the team event. They repeated this performance in the trap and team clay pigeons events.

The American shooters won both the individual and team golds in the free rifle.

The team took both team pistol golds, as well as one of two individual pistol golds.

The military rifle events gave the United States more trouble; the team won no medal in the individual 300 metre prone event, and took only silver in the team 300 metre standing competition.

The running deer was by far the worst category for the Americans; of the four events, the United States took only a single bronze medal in the team single shots event.

ShooterEventFinal
ResultRank
Harry Adams300 m military rifle, prone57Unknown
Mark ArieTrap95
Howard Bayles30 m military pistol244Unknown
50 m free pistol430Unknown
Horace BonserTrap875
Raymond Bracken30 m military pistol272
50 m free pistol456Unknown
Thomas Brown100 m deer, single shots33Unknown
100 m deer, double shots63Unknown
Dennis Fenton50 m small-bore rifle385
300 m free rifle, 3 pos.960Unknown
Morris Fisher300 m free rifle, 3 pos.996
George Fiske50 m free pistol458Unknown
Karl Frederick30 m military pistol262Unknown
50 m free pistol496
Louis Harant30 m military pistol264Unknown
Frederick Hird300 m military rifle, prone55Unknown
Joseph Jackson300 m military rifle, prone54Unknown
600 m military rifle, prone585
100 m deer, single shots30Unknown
100 m deer, double shots61Unknown
Alfred Lane30 m military pistol258Unknown
50 m free pistol481
Joseph Lawless600 m military rifle, prone578
Willis A. Lee50 m small-bore rifle370Unknown
300 m free rifle, 3 pos.965Unknown
300 m military rifle, prone56Unknown
300 m military rifle, standing48Unknown
600 m military rifle, prone56Unknown
100 m deer, single shots33Unknown
100 m deer, double shots53Unknown
Elmer Lindroth600 m military rifle, prone54Unknown
Lawrence Nuesslein50 m small-bore rifle391
300 m military rifle, standing54
100 m deer, single shots387
100 m deer, double shots64Unknown
Carl Osburn300 m free rifle, 3 pos.9804
300 m military rifle, standing56
Frederick PlumTrap874
Arthur Rothrock50 m small-bore rifle386
300 m military rifle, standing45Unknown
Oliver Schriver50 m small-bore rifle367Unknown
Lloyd Spooner300 m free rifle, 3 pos.9755
300 m military rifle, prone586
300 m military rifle, standing537
600 m military rifle, prone59
100 m deer, single shots30Unknown
100 m deer, double shots62Unknown
Frank TroehTrap93
Frank WrightTrap87
Raymond Bracken
Karl Frederick
Michael Kelly
Alfred Lane
James H. Snook
50 m team free pistol2372
Thomas Brown
Willis A. Lee
Lawrence Nuesslein
Carl Osburn
Lloyd Spooner
300 m team military rifle, standing255
100 m team deer, single shots158
100 m team deer, double shots2824
Dennis Fenton
Morris Fisher
Willis A. Lee
Carl Osburn
Lloyd Spooner
Team free rifle4876
Dennis Fenton
Joseph Jackson
Willis A. Lee
Oliver Schriver
Lloyd Spooner
600 m team military rifle, prone287
Dennis Fenton
Willis A. Lee
Lawrence Nuesslein
Arthur Rothrock
Oliver Schriver
50 m team small-bore rifle1899
Morris Fisher
Joseph Jackson
Willis A. Lee
Carl Osburn
Lloyd Spooner
300 m team military rifle, prone289
Karl Frederick
Louis Harant
Michael Kelly
Alfred Lane
James H. Snook
30 m team military pistol1310
Joseph Jackson
Willis A. Lee
Carl Osburn
Oliver Schriver
Lloyd Spooner
300 & 600 m team military rifle, prone573
Mark Arie
Horace Bonser
Jay Clark
Forest McNeir
Frank Troeh
Frank Wright
Team clay pigeons547

Tug of war

See main article: Tug of war at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

The United States competed in the Olympic tug of war tournament for the third time in 1920, the final appearance of the sport in the Olympics. The Americans joined the British in tying Sweden's mark for most appearances in the short life of tug of war at the Olympics at three of five.

The Bergvall System was used in 1920. The Americans lost in the quarterfinals to eventual gold-medallist Great Britain, thus putting the United States in contention for the silver medal. In the silver medal semifinals, they were defeated by Belgium. They won their first match of the tournament in the bronze medal semifinals, defeating Italy, before again losing to Belgium in the bronze medal match. The United States finished in fourth place of the five teams.

All matches were best-of-three pulls.

Quarterfinals
Silver medal semifinals
Bronze medal semifinals
Bronze medal match
Final rank: 4th

Wrestling

See main article: Wrestling at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Eighteen wrestlers competed for the United States in 1920, tying Finland for most wrestlers that year. It was the nation's fourth appearance in the sport, matching Great Britain for most to that point. The American wrestlers took six medals, including one gold medal, and finished third on the medals leaderboard, behind Finland with five golds and Sweden with three golds. Ackerly was the American gold medalist, finishing 1–2 with Gerson in the freestyle featherweight. Metropoulos and Pendleton competed in both freestyle and Greco-Roman events, as the United States entered two wrestlers in each weight class. Most of the American success came in the freestyle competitions, with all six medals coming in that discipline.

Freestyle

WrestlerEventRound of 32Round of 16QuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinals / Bronze matchRank
Charles AckerlyFeatherweightN/A (W) (W) (W) (W)
Angus FrantzMiddleweightBye (W) (W) (L) (L)4
Sam GersonFeatherweightN/A (W) (W) (W) (L)
Charley JohnsonMiddleweight (W) (W) (W) (L) (W)
Walter MaurerLight heavyweightN/A (W) (W) (L) (W)
George MetropoulosLightweightN/A (L)align=center colspan=3did not advance8
Fred MeyerHeavyweightalign=center colspan=2N/A (W) (L) (D)
Nat PendletonHeavyweightalign=center colspan=2N/A (W) (W) (L)
John RedmanLight heavyweightN/ABye (W) (L) (L)4
Joseph ShimmonLightweightN/ABye (L)align=center colspan=2did not advance5
Opponent nation Wins Losses Percent
1 0 1.000
3 3 .500
2 0 1.000
4 0 1.000
1 0 1.000
2 0 1.000
1 0 1.000
2.5 2.5 .500
1 3 .250
Total international 17.5 8.5 .673
3 3 .500
Total 20.5 11.5 .641
Round Wins Losses Percent
Round of 32 1 0 1.000
Round of 16 5 1 .833
Quarterfinals 8 1 .889
Semifinals 3 5 .375
Final 1 2 .333
Bronze match 2.5 2.5 .500
Total 20.5 11.5 .641

Greco-Roman

WrestlerEventRound of 32Round of 16QuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinalsRank
Silver quartersSilver semisSilver match
Bronze quartersBronze semisBronze match
Adrian BrianFeatherweightalign=center rowspan=3 (W)align=center rowspan=3 (L)align=center colspan=3did not advancealign=center rowspan=37
N/Aalign=center colspan=2did not advance
(L)align=center colspan=2did not advance
Daniel V. GalleryFeatherweightalign=center rowspan=3 (W)align=center rowspan=3 (L)align=center colspan=3did not advancealign=center rowspan=38
N/A (L)Did not advance
align=center colspan=3did not advance
Frank MaichleLight heavyweightalign=center rowspan=3Byealign=center rowspan=3 (W) (L)align=center colspan=2did not advancealign=center rowspan=37
N/Aalign=center colspan=2did not advance
align=center colspan=3N/A
George MetropoulosLightweightalign=center rowspan=3Byealign=center rowspan=3 (W) (L)align=center colspan=2did not advancealign=center rowspan=310
align=center colspan=3did not advance
align=center colspan=3did not advance
Nat PendletonLight heavyweightalign=center rowspan=3Byealign=center rowspan=3 (L)align=center colspan=3did not advancealign=center rowspan=310
N/Aalign=center colspan=2did not advance
align=center colspan=3N/A
Oral SwigartLightweightalign=center rowspan=3 (W)align=center rowspan=3 (L)align=center colspan=3did not advancealign=center rowspan=312
align=center colspan=3did not advance
align=center colspan=3did not advance
Henry SzymanskiMiddleweightalign=center rowspan=3Byealign=center rowspan=3 (W) (W) (L)Did not advancealign=center rowspan=37
align=center colspan=3did not advance
(L)align=center colspan=2did not advance
Alexander WeyandHeavyweightalign=center rowspan=3Byealign=center rowspan=3 (L)align=center colspan=3did not advancealign=center rowspan=35
align=center colspan=3did not advance
Bye (W) (L)
Edward WillkieHeavyweightalign=center rowspan=3 (W)align=center rowspan=3 (L)align=center colspan=3did not advancealign=center rowspan=35
Bye (W) (L)
(W) (L)Did not advance
Paul ZanolineMiddleweightalign=center rowspan=3Byealign=center rowspan=3 (L)align=center colspan=3did not advancealign=center rowspan=313
align=center colspan=3did not advance
align=center colspan=3did not advance
Opponent nation Wins Losses Percent
0 3 .000
2 0 1.000
0 6 .000
0 6 .000
2 0 1.000
2 0 1.000
1 0 1.000
1 0 1.000
1 1 .500
2 0 1.000
Total 11 16 .407
Round Wins Losses Percent
Round of 32 4 0 1.000
Round of 16 3 7 .300
Quarterfinals 1 2 .333
Semifinals 0 1 .000
Final 0 0
Silver quarterfinals 0 0
Silver semifinals 1 1 .500
Silver match 0 1 .000
Bronze quarterfinals 1 2 .333
Bronze semifinals 1 1 .500
Bronze match 0 1 .000
Total 11 16 .407

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: United States at the 1920 Antwerp Summer Games . https://web.archive.org/web/20200417043413/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/countries/USA/summer/1920/ . dead . April 17, 2020 . June 23, 2012 . sports-reference.com.
  2. Findling and Pelle, p. 56.
  3. News: 100 years later, looking back at Team USA’s success at Antwerp 1920. Josh Barr. United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum. June 9, 2023.
  4. News: Officials blamed by U.S. athletes . . August 8, 1920 . 23.
  5. News: Colleges to fight A.A.U., says Fuessle . . April 17, 1922 . 19.
  6. Web site: United States Fencing at the 1920 Antwerpen Summer Games . Sports-Reference . https://web.archive.org/web/20200417063828/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/countries/USA/summer/1920/FEN/ . dead . April 17, 2020 . Composition for teams.
  7. Book: Report of the American Olympic Committee. 1920. Condé Nast Press. Greenwich, CT. 361.