Robert Cloughen

Robert Cloughen, born on January 26, 1889, was a distinguished American athlete who made his mark as a member of the Irish American Athletic Club and the 1908 U.S. Olympic team. His father, John Cloughen, served as the fifth Manhattan Borough president in 1909 and held the position of New York City's Commissioner of Public Works. Robert's early life was marked by athletic prowess, attending Morris High School in the Bronx, where he excelled in football, baseball, and basketball, and served as Treasurer of the Athletic Association.

After high school, Cloughen pursued higher education at Fordham University, New York University, and the Savage School of Physical Education. His journey to the Olympics was not straightforward; initially turned down for the 1908 team, he traveled to Europe on a tramp steamer and was accepted as an additional team member upon arrival. Cloughen's Olympic journey culminated in a silver medal in the 200 m event at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, where he showcased his remarkable speed and determination.

In addition to his Olympic success, Cloughen won the National A.A.U junior championship in the 100 yard sprint in 1908, clocking an impressive time of 10.2 seconds. He also made headlines at the indoor A.A.U championships that same year, equaling existing records in the 60 yard and 75 yard races, solidifying his reputation as one of the best sprinters in the United States. His athletic achievements continued in 1909 when he set a new world record by running 130 yards in 12.8 seconds.

Cloughen's record-breaking feats did not stop there; in 1910, he shattered the world's record for the 110 yard dash at the Tailtin Games in Queens, New York, finishing in a remarkable time of 10.8 seconds. His career transitioned into coaching in 1922 when he became the track coach at the University of Vermont, later returning to New York to coach at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn from 1926 to 1930. Tragically, Robert Cloughen passed away in August 1930 while training for an Olympic comeback, leaving behind a legacy of athletic excellence.