Paul Drayton (athlete)

Otis Paul Drayton (May 8, 1939 – March 2, 2010) was an American sprint runner.

Paul Drayton
Paul Drayton (left) at the 1964 Olympics
Personal information
BornMay 8, 1939
Glen Cove, New York, U.S.
DiedMarch 2, 2010 (aged 70)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight73 kg (161 lb)
Sport
SportSprint running
ClubU.S. Army
Villanova Wildcats
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)100 yd – 9.3 (1961)
100 m – 10.2 (1962)
200 m – 20.55 (1962)
440 yd – 47.2 (1964)
Medal record
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1964 Tokyo 4×100 m relay
Silver medal – second place 1964 Tokyo 200 m

Career

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He was an AAU champion in the 220 yd (200 m) sprint from 1961 to 1963. In 1961, he was a member of the world record of 39.1 seconds setting American 4 × 100 m relay team, and equaled the 200 m world record of 20.5 s in 1962. At the 1964 Olympics, Drayton won a silver medal in the 200 m and ran the opening leg for the gold medal-winning American 4 × 100 m relay team, which set a world record at 39.06 seconds.[1]

 
Pathe Highlights of 1964 Olympic Trials @1:20 Video on YouTube

In retirement, Drayton lived with his wife near Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked as deputy project director for the city's Division of Recreation and then at the sheriff's department.[1] He died on March 2, 2010, of a pulmonary embolism following cancer surgery.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Paul Drayton. Sports Reference.com
  2. ^ "Cleveland Olympian Paul Drayton dies at age 70 from cancer". cleveland.com. March 2, 2010. Retrieved March 2, 2010.