William Frank (athlete)
William " Billy" Frank ( born December 12, 1879 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, † April 3, 1965 ) was an American long-distance runner.
As a second first name occasionally Christian is to be read, but in publications during his lifetime he was known only William G Frank or Frank WG.
Frank had occurred early in the police service and the New York City Police Department ( NYPD ) as a police officer without rank ( police officer ) employed on patrol by bicycle. He was a member of the Twenty Second Regiment of the National Guard of the State of New York, the National Guard of the State of New York. As a police officer and guardsman he also participated in regional games which have been specially organized for this group.
He played his first competitions in 1898 as the cyclist in track races in the hall. In 1901, he won a national championship in the amateurs, so that henceforth he stood at cycling events in the foreground.
1904 Frank aroused special attention when he ( 3218 meters ) rose after winning a cycling race over two miles from the wheel and immediately went to the launch of a mile run, in which he could occupy the third place. 1905 Frank was paid to more attention than he during a competition for military personnel at a run over three miles ( 4827 meters) the national champion over five miles ( 8045 meters ), John Joyce, defeated.
Frank found refuge in the Irish American Athletic Club in New York City, at that time a highly respected sports club, where many top athletes had come together. For the Olympic Games between 1906, which were aligned in Athens, the club had a number of athletes chosen, including William Frank belonged.
In Athens, Frank launched on April 25 at his first race, running over five miles. Frank and his two compatriots who were with him at the start, as disclosed in this run an immense weakness, the U.S. long-distance runners had at that time the face of international competition. At no time one of them played a significant role in the race. They were so far back that their rankings were no longer listed.
The participation of Frank in the marathon on May 1, the penultimate day of the Games, was a bold undertaking, for never before had he completed such a long distance. But from the start, he ran in front of the field and even had taken over after seven kilometers by a small margin the lead. After seven miles of other runners were able to catch up, especially the eventual winner Billy Sherring, who ran with Frank to km 29 together at the top. Sherring adopted with a " Well, good- bye, Bill" politely and hurried off alone to the top. Frank was then also overtaken by John Svanberg, but saved by 13 seconds ahead of the next runner, Gustaf Törnros, the third place finish.
Placements at the Olympic Games:
- Olympic Games between 1906 Athens Marathon - Bronze with 3:00:46,8 h ( gold at Billy Sherring from Canada with 2:51:23,6 h; silver to John Svanberg of Sweden, with 2:58:20,8 h)
- 5 miles - participated, placement unknown
In the following two years, William Frank participated in a series of runs to five miles, but with only moderate success. He also continued to deny bicycle race, but again, he had little success. Only 1907 he was with the comrades of his club win the national team title in cross-country running.
1909 occurred in the life of William Frank a decisive turn. Was accused and convicted him as a blackmailer. During his patrol he stopped unsuspecting motorists and accused her of speeding. However, he wanted to refrain from display and forget the matter, the driver would deposit a few dollars at a specific location. The case was uncovered by two plainclothes police officers who wanted to extort money Frank in this way.
From that date on the future life of William Frank nothing more is known.