HALL OF FAME

Jack Kelly Jr.

Special Contributor

Olympian in London 1948 Olympic Games, Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games, Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games, Rome 1960 Olympic Games

Born:

May 24, 1927

Birthplace:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Died:

March 2, 1985

College:

University of Pennsylvania

Hall of Fame Class:

1992

hall of fame

Jack Kelly Jr.

Special Contributor

Olympian in London 1948 Olympic Games, Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games, Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games, Rome 1960 Olympic Games

Born:

May 24, 1927

Birthplace:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Died:

March 2, 1985

College:

University of Pennsylvania

Hall of Fame Class:

1992

Four-time Olympian Jack Kelly Jr. was selected president of the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1985, but died of a heart attack while jogging just three weeks later.

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Jack Kelly Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps as an elite rower, competing in four Olympic Games, winning a bronze medal in the single sculls at the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games.

After his successful rowing career, Kelly ran the bricklaying business that Jack Kelly Sr. had created, served 12 years on the Philadelphia City Council and became a prominent amateur sports administrator. Kelly’s positions included president of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and chairman of the Philadelphia Athletic Committee.

Kelly eventually was selected president of the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1985.

But three weeks after Kelly was elected, during his customary morning run, he suffered a heart attack and died. He was 57 years old.

”He was an irreplacable asset to the Olympic movement.” said William E. Simon, Kelly’s predecessor as USOC president.

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