Ralph Metcalfe

Ralph Harold Metcalfe (May 30, 1910 – October 10, 1978) was an American athlete who jointly held the world record for the 100 metre sprint.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Metcalfe studied at Marquette University and equalled the record of 10.3 seconds on a number of occasions, as well as equalling the 200 metre record of 20.6 seconds. At the 1932 Summer Olympics he virtually dead-heated with his rival Eddie Tolan, with the medal awarded to Tolan only after extended study of the photograph. Both recorded a time of 10.38 seconds. He received a bronze medal in the 200 metre event at this games. Metcalfe was again to just lose at the 1936 games, to the great Jesse Owens. He received a gold medal as part of the winning 4x100 relay team.

Metcalfe completed a master's degree at the University of Southern California. In later life, Metcalfe became a politician, first on a city council and then as a Democrat representing a district in Illinois in the United States House of Representatives from 1971 until his death in 1978.