Edwin Flack

Edwin Flack ( Edwin Harold "Teddy" Flack, born November 5, 1873 in London, † January 10, 1935 in Berwick, Melbourne) was an Australian middle-distance runner and tennis player. In 1896, he was two -time Olympic champion.

Flack was born in London and moved at the age of five with his parents to Australia. There, he finished his schooling in 1892 at the Melbourne Church of England Grammar School and studied Greek history. During his studies he started running and was in New South Wales and Victoria winner over a mile. In 1894 he returned to England to become sellers. At the same time, he joined the London Athletic Club and was preparing for the upcoming Olympic Games before.

At the Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, he was champion in the 800 - meter dash in front of the Hungarian Nándor Dani (2nd place) and the Greek Dimitrios Golemis ( 3rd place). He also finished in 1st place in the 1500 -meter run before the Americans Arthur C. Blake (2nd place) and the Frenchman Albin Lermusiaux ( 3rd place). Flack also took part in the marathon, but was disqualified when he collapsed 4 km before the finish. A Greek, who rushed to his aid, he looked down at his confusion. In tennis competition he entered in both single and double. He was eliminated in the first round in singles. In doubles, he reached with his friend George Stuart Robertson the semi-finals, finishing in 3rd place. But he did not get any medal, because then only the first two places were rewarded with a medal.

With his two victories over 800 and 1500 meters, he won the first medals for Australia. In 1898 he went back to Australia, never represented his country again but at international sporting events.