Eddie Tolan

Eddie Tolan (1908–1967), nicknamed “The Midnight Express”, was a pioneering African-American sprinter who became famous for his exceptional speed and…

By Staff , in Track and Field , at September 28, 2024 Tags: athletes

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Eddie Tolan (1908–1967), nicknamed “The Midnight Express”, was a pioneering African-American sprinter who became famous for his exceptional speed and record-breaking performances. He is best known for winning two gold medals at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games in the 100 meters and 200 meters, becoming the first African-American to win Olympic gold in these events. Tolan’s remarkable achievements helped pave the way for future generations of African-American athletes in track and field.

Early Life and Background
Birth and Childhood:
Eddie Tolan was born on September 27, 1908, in Denver, Colorado, and later moved with his family to Detroit, Michigan, where he spent most of his youth. He was the son of a Baptist minister.
As a child, Tolan was interested in sports and initially pursued football. However, his small stature (he stood at only 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed around 150 pounds) led him to switch to track and field, where he soon showed an exceptional natural talent for sprinting.

High School and College Career:
Tolan attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit, where he first gained attention as a sprinter. His outstanding speed earned him several track records, and he became a local star.
After high school, he enrolled at the University of Michigan on a track scholarship. Tolan initially played football for Michigan, but his coaches quickly recognized that his true potential lay in sprinting. Under the guidance of coach Charles Hoyt, Tolan focused on track, winning several Big Ten and NCAA championships during his collegiate career.
While at Michigan, Tolan’s dominance in sprinting became evident, and he broke several collegiate and national records, establishing himself as one of the fastest men in the world.

Road to the 1932 Olympics
National Success:
Tolan’s sprinting prowess grew in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He became a multiple-time national champion in the 100 meters and 200 meters, consistently competing against the best sprinters in the United States.
His rivalry with fellow American sprinter Ralph Metcalfe was one of the defining features of this period. Metcalfe was another talented African-American sprinter who, like Tolan, would go on to have a significant impact on the sport. Their battles on the track drew national attention.

1932 U.S. Olympic Trials:
In 1932, Tolan competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials to earn a spot on the American team for the Los Angeles Summer Olympics. He won both the 100-meter and 200-meter events, securing his place on the Olympic team and marking himself as one of the favorites to win gold in the upcoming games.

1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games
Gold Medal in the 100 Meters:
At the 1932 Olympics, Tolan’s first event was the highly anticipated 100-meter dash. The competition was fierce, particularly between Tolan and Ralph Metcalfe.
In a photo-finish race, Tolan crossed the finish line in 10.38 seconds, setting a new world record and narrowly defeating Metcalfe. The two sprinters were so close that the race was initially called a dead heat, but after reviewing the photo finish, Tolan was declared the winner.
With this victory, Eddie Tolan became the first African-American to win an Olympic gold medal in the 100 meters, cementing his place in history.

Gold Medal in the 200 Meters:
Just days after his triumph in the 100 meters, Tolan competed in the 200 meters, an event in which he also excelled. Once again, he faced Metcalfe, but this time, Tolan’s victory was more decisive.
He won the race in 21.2 seconds, securing his second gold medal of the Games. Tolan’s double gold made him one of the standout performers of the 1932 Olympics.

Post-Olympic Career and Later Life
Retirement from Athletics:
Despite his Olympic success, Tolan faced challenges after his return to the United States. Like many Black athletes at the time, he struggled to find lucrative opportunities in professional sports, and there were few sponsorships or endorsement deals available for African-American athletes.
Tolan briefly toured with other Olympic athletes in exhibition races but was eventually forced to retire from competitive athletics due to a lack of financial support.

Career Outside of Sports:
After retiring from sprinting, Tolan initially pursued a career in teaching but later found work in the civil service and radio. He held several positions, including working as a teacher in Detroit Public Schools, and later found work as an inspector in Detroit’s Public Works Department.
Despite his Olympic fame, Tolan lived a relatively quiet life, and he never fully capitalized on his athletic success.

Recognition and Legacy:
Over time, Tolan’s contributions to the sport of track and field and his role as a trailblazer for African-American athletes became more widely recognized. In 1958, he was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, and in 1982, he was posthumously inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Tolan’s achievements in the 1932 Olympics helped pave the way for future generations of African-American sprinters, including athletes like Jesse Owens, who would achieve global fame just a few years later at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Death and Legacy:
Eddie Tolan died on January 30, 1967, at the age of 58, after suffering from heart failure. While he did not achieve the same level of public recognition as some of his successors, his accomplishments as an Olympic champion and pioneer of African-American athletes remain significant in the history of track and field.
Tolan’s story is often seen as one of perseverance, talent, and quiet dignity. His success at a time when African-Americans faced severe racial discrimination both in and out of sports made his achievements all the more remarkable.
Today, Tolan is remembered as one of the great sprinters of his era, whose performances on the world stage opened doors for athletes who followed in his footsteps.