Culver Lucias Hastedt (October 16, 1884 – November 2, 1966) was an American sprinter and Olympic gold medalist in 1904. He was known as "The King of the Handicaps," winning gold medals in the 60-yard dash, the 100-yard dash and the running broad jump at the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri.[3] Also, in the Olympic Open Meet, he won the 100-yard dash and won second place in the broad jump.[4]

Culver Lucias Hastedt
Personal information
NicknameKing of the Handicaps
Born(1883-10-17)17 October 1883[1]
St. Louis, Missouri
Died2 November 1966(1966-11-02) (aged 83)[2]
St. Louis, Missouri
Sport
SportTrack and field
Event(s)Sprints, broad jump
College teamChristian Brothers College
ClubMissouri Athletic Club
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing the United States
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
1904 Summer Olympics Handicap Games 4 1 0
Total 4 1 0
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1904 Summer Olympics Men's 100-yard dash
Gold medal – first place 1904 Summer Olympics Men's 60-yard dash
Gold medal – first place 1904 Summer Olympics Olympic Open Handicap Men's 100-yard dash
Silver medal – second place 1904 Summer Olympics Olympic Open Handicap Running Broad Jump
Gold medal – first place 1904 Summer Olympics WAAAU Running Broad Jump

In the 1904 Olympic Games, "handicap" did not refer to any type of physical impairment. Instead, these were events in which some athletes, often amateurs, were given a slight advantage in position or location. These matches were additional track and field events that allowed lesser athletes the opportunity to compete head-to-head with superior professional Olympic competitors by giving them an advantage that leveled the playing field. In this era, a "handicap" winner is somewhat similar to an amateur winner of a professional event.[4] In the 100-yard dash, Hastedt was given a 4-yard handicap, and in the 60-yard dash, he was given a 4-foot handicap.[3] His victory in the 100-yard dash was the first won by a St. Louis athlete.[3] The 1904 Olympics were also significant in that they were the first Olympics to be held in the United States.

"One of the most successful athletes to participate in the Olympic events was St. Louis native Culver Hastedt. The speedy representative of the Missouri Athletic Club won both the 60- and the 100-yard dashes held during the week of the official Olympic games. Hastedt also won the 100-yard dash in the Olympic Open Handicap Meet, running for Christian Brothers College. His versatility showed by taking second in the running broad jump at the same event. At these same Olympic Games during the Western Association AAU handicap Meet, Hastedt won the gold medal for the running broad jump. For all his efforts, he was dubbed 'King of the Handicaps'."

— Jim Greensfelder, Jim Lally, Bob Christianson and Max Storm, 1904 Olympic Games Official Medals and Badges

References

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  1. ^ United States World War I Draft Registration Card (12 September 1918). Ancestry.com. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  2. ^ "Hastedt, Former Olympic Ace, Dies". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. St. Louis, Missouri. November 2, 1966.
  3. ^ a b c Lucas, Charles J.P. (1905). The Olympic Games 1904 (PDF) (1st ed.). Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Smith, Sharon (Spring 2004). "Interview with Max Storm, Collector Extraordinaire" (PDF). Gateway Heritage Magazine. vol. 24, no. 4: Missouri Historical Society. Retrieved 8 Dec 2014.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: location (link)