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Eldridge Eatman

Category

Athlete

Sport

Athletics

Hometown

Saint John

Year Inducted

2016

Sport Ambassador

black athlete

Eldridge Eatman (D)

HONOURED MEMBER

Biography

Eldridge Eatman of Saint John was considered one of the most outstanding sprinters of the early 20th century, leaving his mark on New Brunswick and the world of track and field. Track and field records list him as the fastest Canadian of 1905 in the 100-yard sprint with a time of 9.8 seconds. He made his mark on the international stage by defeating world champion, Tom Keen of the United States, in 1903 at a match race in Saint John. Eatman overcame racism and poverty while living in a small province to become a world champion.He later served in the British Army as an infantryman in the First World War. He was inducted into the Saint John Hall of Fame in 2002.

Quick Facts

  • Fastest Canadian of 1905 in the 100-yard sprint with a time of 9.8 seconds 

  • One of the most outstanding sprinters of the early 20th century

  • Became a world champion overcoming racism and poverty 

  • Inducted into the Saint John Sports Wall of Fame

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