Mel Patton

Melvin Emery Patton (November 16, 1924 – May 9, 2014) was an American sprinter, who set the world record of 9.2 seconds in the 100-yard dash (91.44 metres) in 1948.<ref name=dash/> He also set a 220 yd world record in 1949 on a straightaway of 20.2, breaking the record held by Jesse Owens.<ref name=sr/>

Patton won two gold medals at the 1948 Summer Olympics. He was ranked first in the world in the 100 m and 200 m events in 1947 and 1949.<ref name=sr/>

Biography

Born in Los Angeles, California, Mel Patton or Pell Mell, as he was nicknamed in the late 1940s, made his mark in track and field while a student at the University of Southern California, where he was coached by Dean Cromwell. During his collegiate years, Patton was a member of the Delta-Eta chapter of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He also attended University High School in Los Angeles.

Patton won the NCAA 100-yard dash in 1947 and in 1948 and 1949 completed the 100 and 220 yd sprint double at that same meet. In 1947 he tied the 100 yd dash world record of 9.4, which he lowered it 9.3 the following year. In 1949, he set a 220 yd world record on a straightaway of 20.2, breaking the record held by Jesse Owens.<ref name=sr/>

In the Olympic Trials, he lost to Barney Ewell in the 100 m final, then in the 1948 Summer Olympics placed fifth in the 100 m. He later won two gold medals in the 200 m and the 4 × 100 m relay.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

After retiring from competition, Patton participated in several professional races in Australia. Then he worked as a teacher and athletics coach at Long Beach City College and Wichita State University before becoming an executive in the aerospace and electronics industries. Previously he served in the U.S. Navy as a seaman and aviator during World War II. In the 1970s, Patton helped develop the national sports program in Saudi Arabia. He was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1985,<ref name=hall/> and died in Fallbrook, California on May 9, 2014.<ref name=sr/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Competition record

Representing Template:FlagIOC
1948	Olympics	London, England	5th	100 m
1948	Olympics	London, England	1st	200 m	21.1

External links

• An Olympian’s Oral History – Melvin Patton