- Born
- Died
- Birth nameMalvin Greston Whitfield
- Nickname
- Marvelous Mal
- Malvin Whitfield was born on October 11, 1924 in Bay City, Texas, USA. He was married to Nola, Mary and Nola . He died on November 19, 2015 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
- SpousesNola(? - November 19, 2015) (his death, 5 children)Mary (divorced)Nola (? - 2015) (his death, 3 children)
- He competed at every distance from 200 meters to 1,000 meters. His favorite event was the half-mile, or 880-yard run. From 1946 to 1955, he won 66 out of 69 races at that distance. He set six world records at various distances, including twice in the 880.
- After retiring from track competition, he became a coach and athletic adviser around the world, particularly in Africa. He joined the U.S. Foreign Service and spent 37 years developing sports and education programs as an athletic ambassador. He conducted sports clinics in more than 130 countries.
- He was a middle-distance runner who won three Olympic gold medals in 1948 and 1952 -- twice in the 800m, and the 4x400m relay.
- In 1954, he became the first African American to receive the James E. Sullivan Award, presented each year by the US Amateur Athletic Union to the nation's outstanding amateur athlete.
- He was the first active-duty member of the US military to win an Olympic medal in track and field. He was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen in WWII. He served as an Air Force sergeant during the Korean War and went on more than 25 bombing missions as a tail gunner.
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