Arthur Jonath

German sprinter (1909–1963)
Arthur Jonath
Arthur Jonath in 1931
Personal information
Born9 September 1909
Bentrop, Province of Westphalia, Prussia, German Empire
Died14 April 1963 (aged 53)
Neu-Isenburg, West Germany
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight73 kg (161 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)100 m, 200 m
ClubTuS Bochum
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)100 m – 10.50 (1932)
200 m – 21.2 (1932)[1][2]
Medal record
Representing  Germany
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1932 Los Angeles 4×100 m relay
Bronze medal – third place 1932 Los Angeles 100 m

Arthur Jonath (9 September 1909 – 14 April 1963) was a German sprinter. He competed at the 1932 Summer Olympics in the 4 × 100 m, 100 m and 200 m events and finished in second, third and fourth place, respectively.

Jonath was a boxer, and switched to athletics due to a hand injury. In 1931-1932 he won the German titles in both 100 m and 200 m. He set three indoor world records in the 50 m and 60 m in 1930 and 1931, and two outdoor world records in the 100 m in 1932 and 1933; he set three more world records with the German 4 × 100 m relay team.

After the Los Angeles Games, Jonath stayed in the United States upon invitation from actresses Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. He was offered American citizenship and a university education, but his stepfather brought him back to Germany. Jonath was a guest of honor at the Berlin Olympics. During World War II he fought as an SS officer on the Eastern Front; he was taken prisoner by the Soviet troops and then transferred to an American prisoner-of-war camp near Frankfurt.

After the war Jonath ran a petrol station and trained runners at FSV 1899 Frankfurt. His nephew Ulrich also became a prominent athletic coach.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Arthur Jonath. sports-reference.com
  2. ^ Arthur Jonath. trackfield.brinkster.net
Records
Preceded by
European Record Holder Men's 100m
5 June 1932 - 25 August 1934
Succeeded by
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International
  • VIAF
National
  • Germany
People
  • Deutsche Biographie
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