Article

Walter Knox

Published Online March 24, 2008

Last Edited December 16, 2013

Walter Knox, track and field athlete (b at Listowel, Ont 1878; d at St Petersburg, Fla 3 Mar 1951). Knox was one of the most versatile and successful performers in Canadian sport. From 1896 to 1933, he obtained 359 firsts, 90 seconds and 52 thirds in competition.

Knox, Walter

Walter Knox, track and field athlete (b at Listowel, Ont 1878; d at St Petersburg, Fla 3 Mar 1951). Knox was one of the most versatile and successful performers in Canadian sport. From 1896 to 1933, he obtained 359 firsts, 90 seconds and 52 thirds in competition. He won 5 Canadian titles in one afternoon in 1907 - 100 yards, broad jump, pole vault, hammer throw and shot put - and he defeated various champions during his international career as a gambling "gypsy athlete." In 1914 Knox defeated British champion F.R. Cramb for "world all-round championship" at Manchester, Eng, winning 6 of 8 events. Coach of the Canadian track and field team at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, he also coached Ethel CATHERWOOD, gold-medal high-jump winner at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics.