John Garrels - 1908 Summer Olympics

1908 Summer Olympics

After graduating from Michigan in 1907, Garrels trained with the Chicago Athletic Association in preparation for the 1908 Summer Olympics.

In May 1908, as the Olympic trials approached, sports reporter H.V. Valentine wrote, "No figure in the world of athletics is attracting more attention these days than that of John G. Garrles, the great all around athlete of the University of Michigan." Another reporter noted, "Garrels is undoubtedly the best all around man the middle west has ever produced. He can hurdle, jump and toss the weights and is sure to gather points for America in the many events in which he can make a strong showing." The Pittsburg Press called Garrels "one of the greatest athletes ever developed in the history of manly sports in America." Even Martin Sheridan (a five-time Olympic gold medalist) opined, "He's the greatest all-around athlete in our country -- that's what I think of him. Some day I hope to meet him, and, win or lose, that will be the greatest day of my life."

In early June 1908, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced its selections to compete in the 1908 summer games in London. Garrels was selected to compete for the United States in the 110-meter hurdles, discus, Greek discus and shot put.

In late June 1908, days before sailing for London, Garrels competed at the AAU meet in Pittsburgh. Garrels took first place in the 110-meter hurdles (15-3/5 seconds), the discus throw (132 feet, 8 inches) and the shot put (42 feet, 10 inches). He also finished in second place in the 100-meter race.

On June 27, 1908, Garrels set sail from New York to London aboard the Philadelphia as part of the 78-member American track team led by the famed trainer and coach Mike Murphy.

Garrels was selected to carry the American flag at the opening ceremonies in London. On July 13, 1908, he led the American delegation into the Olympic stadium at Shepherd's Bush before King Edward VII and Queen Alexandria.

Garrels began his Olympic competition with the shot put competition on July 16, 1908. He finished third in the event, as fellow American (and former University of Michigan athlete) Ralph Rose took the gold medal. The discus throw was held on the same day, and Garrels failed to finish among the leaders. Fellow American Martin Sheridan took the gold medal in the event. On July 18, 1908, Garrels also competed in the Greek discus, and again he did not place among the leaders. Competing in his fourth event, Garrels took the silver medal in the 110-meter hurdles, finishing second behind fellow American Forrest Smithson who set a new world record with a time of 15.0 seconds. Following Smithson's surprise victory over Garrels, one press account noted:

"J. C. Garrels, the great University of Michigan athlete, was regarded as unbeatable in this event by the members of the American team, and Smithson's feat of beating him by two yards is something which must mark him as perhaps the greatest athlete turned out in America this season. Until this race Garrels has never been defeated in the high hurdles."

Upon their return from London, Garrels and other members of the American Olympic team were the guests of President Theodore Roosevelt at Oyster Bay.

In 1911, Mike Murphy was asked to rank the best athletes he had seen in his 30 years working with track and field athletes. Murphy rated Garrels as one of the four athletes (along with Lon Myers, Harry Jewett and Alvin Kraenzlein) "who towered head and shoulders above any other athletes of their time."