Bevil Rudd

Bevil Rudd 1920

Bevil Rudd ( Bevil Gordon D'Urban Rudd ; born October 5, 1894 in Kimberley , † February 2, 1948 ibid) was a South African athlete and Olympic champion .

Rudd was born into a family that had a strong connection with the De Beers family , the largest diamond producers. He was an excellent pupil, student, and athlete, and a scholarship to Oxford University was assured. Rudd served in World War I and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery.

In his sporting career, 1920 was probably his most successful year. At the Olympic Games in Antwerp , he won the gold medal in the 400-meter run , ahead of the Briton Guy Butler and the Swede Nils Engdahl, as well as the bronze medal in the 800-meter run , behind the Briton Albert Hill and the American Earl Eby . Finally, he won the silver medal in the 4 x 400 meter relay , together with his teammates Henry Dafel , Clarence Oldfield and Jack Oosterlaak , behind the team from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and in front of the team from France .

Also in 1920 he became British champion over 440 and 880 yards and was voted best athlete of the year. In 1921 he broke the existing world record over 440 yards.

He then completed his studies, went back to South Africa and worked as a sports journalist. In 1930 he took a job with the Daily Telegraph and moved back to London . He held this position until after the end of the Second World War . He then moved back to South Africa and died shortly afterwards at the age of 53.

Web links

• Bevil Rudd in the database of Sports-Reference (English; archived from the original )