London, 1908, Games of the IV Olympiad. Men's athletics: Eventual winner Martin SHERIDAN of the United States training for the discus throw. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum Collections

Other names: SHERIDAN, Martin John

Born: 28 March 1881

Deceased: 27 March 1918

Birthplace: Bohola (Ireland)

Nationality: United States

Sport: Athletics

Tug of War

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

St Louis 1904

London 1908

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Gold: 3

Bronze: 1

Other results:

Intercalated Games of 1906

Gold: 3

Silver: 2

Early Discus Star

Irish-American Martin Sheridan was the world's finest all-round athlete until the arrival of Jim Thorpe, and the greatest discus thrower until Al Oerter. In addition to winning the discus at the 1904, 1906 and 1908 Olympic Games, Sheridan won the shot put in 1906 and the Greek-style discus in 1908. To these five gold medals he added three silver medals in 1906 in the stone throw and the standing jumps and a bronze medal in the standing long jump in 1908. Between 1904 and 1911, he won 11 AAU titles at a variety of events including three in the All-Around Championship, in which he broke the world record all three times. He was at his best before world records were officially recognized but from 1902 to 1911 he set no less than 15 new "World Bests" in the discus. Irish-born, he emigrated to the USA at the age of 16 and he eventually died from pneumonia on the eve of his 37th birthday while serving with the New York Police Department.