Gold medal won by American sprinter Bobby Morrow (b. 1935) in the 1956 Olympic games held in Melbourne, Australia.
That year the native Texan was named as Sports Illustrated Magazine's "Athlete of the Year." He won three gold medals at the Melbourne games, individually in the 100 and 200 meter dashes and as part of the 4x100 meter relay team. He was the first man to win two individual gold medals for the U.S. since Jesse Owens in 1936.
The 1956 Summer Olympics Games, also known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad were held in Melbourne, Australia and included 72 countries, 2,939 men and 376 women athletes participating. Known as the ‘Friendly Games', these were the first to be contested in the Southern Hemisphere and were held in November due to Australia's seasonal differences. Many countries boycotted the Games due to various political situations throughout the globe although the East and West Germany teams competed as one. Australia dominated the swimming events while the US took the most gold in track and field with Bobby Morrow winning three golds. The Soviet Union won the medal count with 98 with the United States coming in second with 74.
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