Stockholm July 1912, Games of the V Olympiad. Men's athletics, hammer throw: Matthew MCGRATH of the United States (1st) throwing the hammer. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum Collections

Other names: MAC GRATH, Matthew

Born: 18 December 1878

Deceased: 29 January 1941

Birthplace: Nenagh (United States)

Nationality: United States

Sport: Athletics

Tug of War

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

London 1908

Stockholm 1912

Antwerp 1920

Paris 1924

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Gold: 1

Silver: 2

Overwhelming Hammer Winner

An Irish-American policeman, Matt McGrath first competed in the Olympic hammer throw event in 1908. At the time, he was the reigning world record holder. But, at the London Games, he was beaten by another Irish-American policeman, two-time defending Olympic champion John Flanagan. However, at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, McGrath overwhelmed his opponents. The shortest of his six throws was 4.45m longer than anyone else's longest throw. McGrath's Olympic record held up for 24 years. In 1920, McGrath tried to defend his title, but injured his knee and had to withdraw after his second throw. He still managed to finish fifth. In 1924, McGrath returned to the Olympics and earned the silver medal ... at the age of 45.