Hall of Fame

John “Jack” B. Kelly, Sr. is considered one of the best scullers in U.S. history. Kelly dominated sculling competitions, winning the world championship in singles and doubles, the Olympics in singles and doubles, along with numerous national titles. Born in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, Kelly began rowing on the Schuylkill River. He earned three gold medals across the Olympic Games Antwerp 1920 and the Paris 1924 Games, and was the first rower in the sport to accomplish such a feat. Kelly started a successful construction company and became a multimillionaire following his rowing career. His two children, John Kelly, Jr. and Grace Kelly, also became prominent figures, as Kelly, Jr. was a four-time Olympian in rowing and became president of the United States Olympic Committee. Kelly, Sr.’s daughter, Grace, became a famous actress and Princess of Monaco. Kelly, Sr. and his son are the only parent-child duo in the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.