Howard McPhee

Howard McPhee, born on May 11, 1916, in Sydney, Nova Scotia, was a distinguished Canadian sprinter who made his mark on the international stage at the 1936 Summer Olympics. Relocating to Vancouver shortly after his birth, McPhee quickly became known as one of Canada's fastest athletes, earning recognition from the press as 'the fastest runner in Canada after Percy Williams,' who had triumphed in the 1928 Olympics.

At the Berlin Games, McPhee competed in both the men's 100 metres and 200 metres events, reaching the semi-finals in each. Unfortunately, he was unable to advance to the finals, a setback attributed to his struggle to adapt to the climate differences. Despite this disappointment, his participation in the Olympics solidified his status as a prominent figure in Canadian athletics.

In addition to his sprinting career, McPhee was an accomplished graduate of the University of British Columbia in 1936. He later took on the role of a physical education instructor at Grand Forks High School and showcased his athletic versatility by playing rugby for Vancouver. Notably, during a rugby match in 1939, he achieved a remarkable feat by running one hundred six yards for a score, a play believed by officials to be a world record.

On a personal note, McPhee married Lillian Brown of Vancouver in August 1940. Tragically, his life was cut short when he passed away on the evening of November 29, 1940, following what was described as a complete breakdown, possibly due to a brain aneurysm. His legacy as a talented athlete and educator continues to be remembered.