Morgan Taylor, American hurdler and coach (b. 1903)

Frederick Morgan Taylor (April 17, 1903 – February 16, 1975) was a pioneering American track and field athlete, renowned primarily as a hurdler. He carved a unique niche in Olympic history by becoming the first athlete ever to secure three Olympic medals in the demanding 400-meter hurdles event, a testament to his sustained excellence and longevity in a high-intensity discipline. His distinguished career was further highlighted when he proudly carried the flag for the United States delegation at his final Olympic appearance in 1932, symbolizing his leadership and enduring contribution to American athletics.

Early Career and Collegiate Excellence

Taylor’s athletic prowess was evident early in his life, particularly during his time at Grinnell College in Iowa. There, he was a multi-sport athlete, excelling not only in track and field but also on the football field, demonstrating remarkable versatility. His collegiate career was marked by significant achievements that foreshadowed his future Olympic success. In 1927, he claimed the prestigious National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title in the 220-yard hurdles, a challenging sprint hurdle event. Furthermore, his talents extended beyond hurdles, as evidenced by his second-place finish in the long jump at the 1925 NCAA Championships, underscoring his diverse athletic capabilities.

The Olympic Journey and the Quest for World Records

Frederick Morgan Taylor’s journey to Olympic glory was intricately tied to the evolving standards of athletic record-keeping in the early 20th century. In 1924, prior to the Paris Olympics, Taylor showcased his exceptional speed and technique by winning the United States Olympic trials in the 400-meter hurdles. His time of 52.6 seconds was universally recognized as a new "world best" and accepted as a national record for the United States. However, according to the stringent rules of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), now known as World Athletics, this performance was not ratified as an official "world record." This distinction often arose from factors such as non-standard track conditions, uncertified timing equipment, or other technicalities prevalent in that era.

At the VIII Olympiad in Paris, Taylor delivered a masterful performance, securing the gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles. He clocked the exact same formidable time of 52.6 seconds. Despite matching his world-best performance, the record was again not ratified by the IAAF as a new world record. The critical impediment was a technicality: Taylor had inadvertently knocked down one of the hurdles during his race. Under the rules of the time, even a minor contact that dislodged a hurdle could nullify a potential world record, regardless of the athlete's dominant performance and clear victory. This rule highlighted the meticulous nature of athletic governance and the high bar set for official record recognition.

Taylor continued to demonstrate his global dominance in hurdling. In 1925, he secured his second Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) title, this time in the 440-yard hurdles (a slightly longer but comparable distance to the 400m hurdles). His time of 53.8 seconds was yet another "world best" for the event. However, similar to his previous accomplishments, this record was also "discounted" by the governing bodies, likely due to similar technical reasons or the specific nature of the event not always being a standard distance for world record ratification in the same way as the metric 400m hurdles.

It wasn't until the lead-up to the IX Olympiad in Amsterdam in 1928 that Frederick Morgan Taylor finally achieved official world record recognition for his incredible speed. At the 1928 Olympic trials, he recorded a blistering time of 52.0 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles. This time, all conditions met the rigorous criteria set by the IAAF, and his performance was officially accepted as a new world record. This landmark achievement solidified his place in history not just as an Olympic champion but also as a verifiable world record holder in his signature event, marking a significant milestone in his illustrious career.

Post-Athletic Career and Lasting Legacy

Upon graduating from Grinnell College and concluding his competitive athletic career, Frederick Morgan Taylor transitioned into a professional life that still touched upon his early interests. Initially, he leveraged his communication skills in sales, working for the prominent Chicago Tribune newspaper. Following this, he dedicated himself to education and sports, becoming a teacher and an athletics coach. In this capacity, he undoubtedly shared his vast experience and tactical knowledge with aspiring athletes, leaving a lasting impact on future generations. His legacy of athletic excellence continued within his family; his son, F. Morgan Taylor Jr., also followed in his footsteps, competing in track and field as a long jumper, carrying on the family's tradition of collegiate and potentially national level athleticism.

Frequently Asked Questions About Frederick Morgan Taylor

Who was Frederick Morgan Taylor?
Frederick Morgan Taylor was a distinguished American hurdler and track and field athlete, best known for being the first person to win three Olympic medals in the 400-meter hurdles.
What was his significant Olympic achievement?
He uniquely holds the distinction of being the first athlete to win three Olympic medals in the challenging 400-meter hurdles event, showcasing his remarkable talent and endurance over multiple Games.
Why was his 1924 Olympic record not ratified by the IAAF?
Despite clocking a world-best time of 52.6 seconds and winning the gold medal at the 1924 Paris Olympics, his performance was not ratified as an official world record because he inadvertently knocked down one of the hurdles during the race, which was against the strict IAAF rules for record ratification at the time.
When did Frederick Morgan Taylor finally achieve an official world record?
His 400-meter hurdles world record of 52.0 seconds, set at the 1928 Olympic trials, was officially accepted and ratified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), finally recognizing his exceptional speed under compliant conditions.
What was Frederick Morgan Taylor's post-athletic career?
After his collegiate and Olympic career, he worked as a salesman for the Chicago Tribune and later transitioned into education, serving as a teacher and an athletics coach, where he could continue to influence the next generation of athletes.