Thomas Kiely
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Thomas Kiely was an Irish athlete who competed in the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis. He paid his own way to the Games to represent Ireland, rather than compete for Great Britain. Kiely won a gold medal in the "all-around championship," an early version of the decathlon that included 10 events completed in a single day. Despite his victory, the medal was credited to the United Kingdom at the time. Kiely maintained until his death that the medal belonged to Ireland, which gained independence in 1922.12
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Olympic GamesSt. Louis, Missouri, U.S., 1904Thomas Kiely of Ireland, who paid his own fare to the Games rather than compete under the British flag, won the gold medal in an early version of the decathlon. Kiely and his competitors performed the 100-yard sprint, shot put, high jump, 880-yard walk, hammer…
Read MoreThomas Kiely of Ireland, who paid his own fare to the Games rather than compete under the British flag, won the gold medal in an early version of the decathlon. Kiely and his competitors performed the 100-yard sprint, shot put, high jump, 880-yard walk, hammer…
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St. Louis 1904 Olympic GamesThomas Kiely of Ireland, who paid his own fare to the Games rather than compete under the British flag, won the gold medal in an early version of the decathlon. Kiely and his competitors performed the 100-yard sprint, shot put, high jump, 880-yard walk, hammer…
Read MoreThomas Kiely of Ireland, who paid his own fare to the Games rather than compete under the British flag, won the gold medal in an early version of the decathlon. Kiely and his competitors performed the 100-yard sprint, shot put, high jump, 880-yard walk, hammer…
Read More