John B. Kelly, Sr.
Rowing
Local
One of the most accomplished oarsmen in rowing history
Father of Grace Kelly, actress and later Princess of Monaco
Father of John Kelly Jr., also an accomplished Olympic rower
Had 126 consecutive race victories in single scull
6 time U.S. National Champion in the single scull
Applied to race in the Diamond Sculls at the Henley Royal Regatta, the most prestigious event in rowing (1920)
His application was rejected in part because he had done manual labor as a bricklayer and because of his association with the Vesper Boat Club which organizers had deemed breached their rules on amateurism back in 1905
This widely reported and controversial decision contributed to his popularity
Extracting a measure of revenge, he would beat the Diamond Sculls winner later that year at the Olympic Games in a dramatic race by one second
Would become one of the closest races in Olympic rowing history
Only rower to win both the single scull and double scull at the same Olympics (1920)
First rower to win three Olympic Gold Medals
Olympic Gold Medalist in the Single Sculls
- Summer Games in Antwerp (1920)
2 time Olympic Gold Medalist in the Double Sculls
USA Rowing’s Jack Kelly Award named in his honor
Given to an individual who represents the ideals that Kelly exemplified including superior achievement in rowing, service to amateur athletics, and success in their chosen profession
Statue erected in his honor along the Schuylkill River (1965)
Inducted into the USA Rowing Hall of Fame (1956)
Inducted into the USA Olympic Hall of Fame (1990)
