Hall of Fame

Lee Calhoun was the first person to win the 110-meter hurdles at successive Olympic Games. Leading American podium sweeps on both occasions, Calhoun won his first gold medal at the Olympic Games Melbourne 1956 and his second gold at the Rome 1960 Games. Born in Laurel, Mississippi, Calhoun competed at North Carolina Central College, where he won national championships in 1956 and 1957 for the 120-yard hurdles event, and was a national champion for outdoor hurdles on three different occasions. Following Calhoun’s competitive track career, he became a college track coach, completing stints at Grambling University, Yale University and Western Illinois University. He was also asked to be an assistant U.S. Olympic coach in 1976, and North Carolina Central College hosts an annual Lee Calhoun High School Invitational in his honor. Calhoun passed away on June 21, 1989 in Erie, Pennsylvania.