Mal Whitfield

Olympian 1948, 1952

3
GOLD

1
SILVER

1
BRONZE

Athlete Bio

Age

Died (Aged 91)

1924-2015

Hometown

Los Angeles, CA

Education

Thomas Jefferson High School (Los Angeles, Calif.) Ohio State University; Los Angeles State College

Quick Facts

Was the first African American athlete to receive the James E. Sullivan Award as the nation’s most outstanding amateur athlete
Snuck into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to watch the Olympic Games Los Angeles 1932, sparking his dream to be an Olympian
Joined the Army Air Forces after graduating from high school
Enrolled at Ohio State University after World War II as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen
Served as a tail gunner during the Korean War
Set six world records in track and field events
Won six U.S. outdoor titles and two indoor titles
Served as a youth and sports affairs officer for the United States Information Agency for more than 30 years
Held sports and physical education advisory posts in the Liberian and Nigerian governments
Father to four children, Fredricka, Ed, Malvin and Nyna.

Olympic Experience

2-time Olympian; 5-time Olympic medalist (3 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)

Olympic Games Helsinki 1952, gold (800m - Men), silver (4 x 400m Relay - Men), 6th (400m - Men)
Olympic Games London 1948, gold (4 x 400m Relay - Men, 800m - Men), bronze (400m - Men)

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Hall Of Fame Bio

Malvin Greston “Mal” Whitfield was one of the best 400-meter and 800 runners of his time. He won five Olympic medals throughout his career, collecting three golds, one silver and one bronze across the Olympic Games London 1948 and the Helsinki 1952 Games. The Los Angeles native ran track at Ohio State University and Los Angeles State College, and he became the first African American to win the Sullivan Award for being the nation’s most outstanding amateur athlete in 1954. Whitfield set six world records over his career and captured six outdoor and two indoor national titles. Whitfield also became a member of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, training for the Games between bombing missions by running on airplane runways at night. He became an Air Force sergeant, serving during World War II and the Korean War. Upon retiring from track, Whitfield worked for the U.S. Intelligence Service, traveling abroad as an American Goodwill Ambassador and promoting athletics abroad. He passed away on Nov. 19, 2015 in Washington, D.C.