Dillard, Harrison (William Harrison)
Track and field
b. July 8, 1923, Cleveland, OH
When Cleveland honored the great Jesse Owens with a parade upon his return from the 1936 Olympics, the thirteen-year-old Dillard was one of the spectators. He later met Owens, who presented him with his first pair of running shoes.
Dillard became the only athlete ever to win Olympic gold medals in a sprint and a hurdle event. He was unquestionably the best hurdler of his time, winning eighty-two consecutive races from May 31, 1947, through June 26, 1948. However, he hit several hurdles in the Olympic trials and failed to qualify in his specialty, although he made the Olympic team by finishing third in the 100-meter dash.
In the Olympic final, Dillard and Barney Ewell finished in a virtual dead heat and the photo showed that Dillard was the winner. He tied the world record of 10.3 seconds. Dillard qualified in the 110-meter hurdles in 1952 and won his second individual gold in that event. He was also on gold-medal 4 by 100-meter relay teams in both 1948 and 1952.
Known as "Bones" because of his tall, lean frame, Dillard entered Baldwin-Wallace College in 1941 and two years later was drafted into the Army. He returned to college in 1946. He won the NCAA and AAU 120-yard and 220-yard hurdles in both 1946 and 1947 and he tied world records in both events with a 22.3 in the 220 in 1946 and a 13.6 in the 120.
Because of his great start, Dillard won the AAU indoor 60-yard hurdle event seven years in a row, 1947 through 1953, and again in 1955, his last year of competition. He was also the outdoor 110-meter high hurdle champion in 1952. Dillard was named Sullivan Trophy winner in 1953 as the nation's outstanding amateur athlete.