Ira James Murchison (February 6, 1933 – March 28, 1994) was an American athlete, winner of the gold medal in 4 × 100 m relay at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, he attended Phillips High School. Murchison was noted for his exceptional speed from the starting block, which earned him a nickname Human Sputnik.
Before the Melbourne Olympics, Murchison equalled twice the 100 m world record of 10.2 and ran in Berlin a new world record of 10.1, thus becoming one of the favourites to win the 100 m Olympic gold medal. But at Melbourne, Murchison managed to finish only in a disappointing fourth place. He also ran the leadoff leg of the 4 × 100 m relay team for the United States, and helped the American team to a gold medal in a world record time of 39.5.
He attended the University of Iowa, but later transferred to Western Michigan. In 1957, Murchison repeated the 100 yd (91 m) world record of 9.3 and, as a Western Michigan University student, won the 1958 NCAA championships in 100 yd (91 m). At the 1963 Pan American Games, Murchison finished third in the 100 m and helped the American 4 × 100 m relay team to win a gold medal.
During the 1970s, Murchison was the coach of a women's track team in Chicago. One of the women he coached was 1976 Olympic sprinter, Rosalyn Bryant.
Ira Murchison died of cancer in Harvey, Illinois, aged 61.
Ira James Murchison (February 6, 1933 – March 28, 1994) was an American athlete, winner of the gold medal in 4 × 100 m relay at the 1956 Summer Olympics...
Murchison may refer to: Lake Murchison, Tasmania, Australia Mount Murchison (Tasmania), Australia Murchison bioregion, a bioregion in Western Australia...
California, with a time of 10.1 seconds, equal with Willie Williams and IraMurchison, and repeated the time a week later in Santa Ana, California. (In 1956...
Loren C. Murchison (December 17, 1898 – June 11, 1979) was an American athlete, double gold medal winner in 4×100 m relay at the Olympic Games. Born in...
Stanfield 1951: Ed Conwell 1952: John O'Connell 1953-56: John Haines 1957: IraMurchison 1958: Ed Collymore 1959–60: Paul Winder 1961–62: Frank Budd 1963: Sam...
Lea Bruce MacDonald Jesse Mashburn (r) Gordon McKenzie Bobby Morrow IraMurchison Joel Shankle Leo Sjogren Eddie Southern Arnie Sowell Lonnie Spurrier...
Stanfield 1951: Ed Conwell 1952: John O'Connell 1953-56: John Haines 1957: IraMurchison 1958: Ed Collymore 1959–60: Paul Winder 1961–62: Frank Budd 1963: Sam...
Lea Bruce MacDonald Jesse Mashburn (r) Gordon McKenzie Bobby Morrow IraMurchison Joel Shankle Leo Sjogren Eddie Southern Arnie Sowell Lonnie Spurrier...
Lea Bruce MacDonald Jesse Mashburn (r) Gordon McKenzie Bobby Morrow IraMurchison Joel Shankle Leo Sjogren Eddie Southern Arnie Sowell Lonnie Spurrier...
relay details United States (USA) Thane Baker Leamon King Bobby Morrow IraMurchison 39.5 (WR) Soviet Union (URS) Leonid Bartenev Yuriy Konovalov Vladimir...
Stanfield 1951: Ed Conwell 1952: John O'Connell 1953-56: John Haines 1957: IraMurchison 1958: Ed Collymore 1959–60: Paul Winder 1961–62: Frank Budd 1963: Sam...
Lea Bruce MacDonald Jesse Mashburn (r) Gordon McKenzie Bobby Morrow IraMurchison Joel Shankle Leo Sjogren Eddie Southern Arnie Sowell Lonnie Spurrier...
Stanfield 1951: Ed Conwell 1952: John O'Connell 1953-56: John Haines 1957: IraMurchison 1958: Ed Collymore 1959–60: Paul Winder 1961–62: Frank Budd 1963: Sam...
author.[citation needed] Billy Martin — former professional NFL halfback IraMurchison (1951) — sprinter, gold medalist at 1956 Olympic Games. Lee Roy Murphy...
musician (b. 1950) Walter Lantz, American cartoonist (b. 1899) March 28 – IraMurchison, American athlete (b. 1933) April 2 – Betty Furness, American actress...
Stanfield 1951: Ed Conwell 1952: John O'Connell 1953-56: John Haines 1957: IraMurchison 1958: Ed Collymore 1959–60: Paul Winder 1961–62: Frank Budd 1963: Sam...
Lea Bruce MacDonald Jesse Mashburn (r) Gordon McKenzie Bobby Morrow IraMurchison Joel Shankle Leo Sjogren Eddie Southern Arnie Sowell Lonnie Spurrier...
Abilene Christian 10.4 1957 Bobby Morrow Abilene Christian 9.4y 1958 IraMurchison Western Mich 9.5y 1959 Charlie Tidwell Kansas 9.3y 1960 Charlie Tidwell...
Stanfield 1951: Ed Conwell 1952: John O'Connell 1953-56: John Haines 1957: IraMurchison 1958: Ed Collymore 1959–60: Paul Winder 1961–62: Frank Budd 1963: Sam...
Stanfield 1951: Ed Conwell 1952: John O'Connell 1953-56: John Haines 1957: IraMurchison 1958: Ed Collymore 1959–60: Paul Winder 1961–62: Frank Budd 1963: Sam...
Olympic Games gold medalist in the men's 4x400 meter relay for the US IraMurchison - Former world record holder in 100 yard dash and Olympic gold medalist...
Stanfield 1951: Ed Conwell 1952: John O'Connell 1953-56: John Haines 1957: IraMurchison 1958: Ed Collymore 1959–60: Paul Winder 1961–62: Frank Budd 1963: Sam...
Global Information
United States
