If that wasn’t impressive enough, McDonald remained at an elite level for more than another decade and won the last of his staggering 16 AAU titles in the weight throw when he was 55 years old.
In a career that spanned four separate decades, McDonald also won a gold medal in the shot put at the 1912 Olympic Games and a silver medal in the two-handed shot put. It was the lone time the rare two-handed shot put had been contested at the Olympic Games, which combined the distances an athlete could throw the implement with their right arm then their left arm to determine a winner.
PAT MCDONALD
Born in Ireland, his family landed in the United States through Ellis Island and became a member of the Irish American Athletic Club and worked as a traffic officer inside Times Square for the New York Police Department.
CDONALD VETERAN INDUCTEE
Pat McDonald took the concept of longevity within track and field to levels never thought possible in the early part of the 20th century – he is recognized as the oldest Olympic champion after winning the 56-pound weight throw in 1920 at the age of 41.
Bragging Rights
H Recognized as the oldest Olympic champion after winning the 56-pound weight throw at the 1920 Olympic Games at the age of 41
H 1912 Olympic gold medalist in the shot put and silver medalist in the two-handed shot put H 16-time AAU champion in the 56-pound weight throw