Semple was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and emigrated to the United States in 1921 to work as a cabinetmaker in Philadelphia. He subsequently oversaw implementation of qualifying times in 1970 and, in response to lobbying and rule changes by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), the implementation of a separate women's race in 1972. Semple subsequently claimed that amateur rules banned women racing for more than 1.5 miles (2.4 km). Switzer was officially entered in the race in accordance with the Boston Marathon's rule book which at that time made no mention of sex. In 1967, he attained worldwide notoriety as a race official for the Boston Marathon, when he repeatedly assaulted 20 year old marathon runner Kathrine Switzer and knocked down her coach when he tried to protect her. John Duncan Semple (Octo– March 10, 1988) was a Scottish-American runner, physical therapist, trainer, and sports official.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |