At five-foot-seven and 137 pounds, Arthur Duffey’s size didn’t intimidate anyone. He let his speed on the track intimidate his opponents.
Few people in his era were faster. Comparatively, few since have been better.
Duffey was a dominant sprinter in the 100-yard dash. In 1902 he set the world record at 9.6 seconds, which was recorded at 9 5/8 seconds back then. He was a favorite to win the 1900 Olympic Games, but pulled a muscle in the final. He also won four-straight AAA championships from 1900-03 in England.
The AAU stripped Duffy of his awards and titles over a dispute about shoes, but there was no disputing his talent.
But few would forget what Duffey accomplished on the track and all he would accomplish in his professional career. He went on to spend most of his life as a newspaper writer for the now-defunct Boston Post.
ARTHUR DUFFEY
Bragging Rights
H Set the world record in the 100-yard dash at 9.6 seconds (then recorded at 9 5/8 seconds) H Finalist at the 1900 Paris Olympics, but did not finish due to injury H Four-time AAA 100-yard champion (1900-03) H Three-time IC4A champion (1901-03) and 1899 AAU champion