Charles Paddock (1995) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Charles Paddock

Induction:
1995

The original "World's Fastest Human" and known for his "flying finish" (a 12-foot leap at the tape), Charles “Charley” Paddock set 13 world and U.S. sprint records. A 4-year letterman (1920-21-22-23) and captain of the 1923 Trojans, this 3-time Olympian (he was immortalized in the movie, "Chariots of Fire") won 2 gold medals and 2 silvers. From 1919 to 1929, he was the world's top sprinter. His world record of 10.2 in the 100 meters, set in 1921, wasn't equaled for 11 years and wasn't broken until 1950. He is in the National track & field hall of fame. In 2016, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Century Team. At USC, he also wrote and starred in school plays, served as editor of the Daily Trojan and was a standout on the debate team. He became a sportswriter and later business manager of newspapers in Pasadena and Long Beach before being killed in a 1943 plane crash in World War II at age 42.