Stanley ROWLEY

Stan Rowley was an outstanding schoolboy sprinter at Sydney Boys' High School, and as a 19-year-old finished second in the 100 yards at the 1895 Australian Championships, winning the title the following year. In 1897 and 1899 he won both sprints at the Australasian Championships, a bi-annual meeting which brought together the best athletes from Australia and New Zealand; at the second meeting, at Brisbane in November 1899, he equaled the Australian 100 yards record of 9.9 and set a new Australian record of 22.2 for 220 yards.

Although the Australian authorities decided not to send a team to the 1900 Paris Olympics, sufficient funds were raised by private subscription to enable Rowley to go to Europe. Taking five months leave from his job as a stock-keeper, he arrived in London in June and after reaching the final of the AAA 100 yards, the English Association agreed to pay his expenses to Paris. At the Olympics, he finished third in each of the three sprints. Medals were not awarded in all events at the 1900 Games and Rowley was presented with a carriage clock, a ladies' purse and a silver paper knife. He then became involved in the charade that was the 5000 metres team race.

The French officials insisted that although only four runners were to count in the scoring, teams must consist of five runners, each of whom must complete the race. With Alfred Tysoe, Charles Bennett, Jack Rimmer, and Sidney Robinson available, Britain's victory seemed assured if only they could find a fifth runner. Apparently the three British marathon runners were not available; the Anglo-Indian sprinter Norman Pritchard was asked to make up the team but declined because of injury; and the French officials ruled out the Canadian winner of the steeplechase, George Orton; but they accepted the entry of Stan Rowley. Why an Australian sprinter but not a Canadian distance runner, who might have performed well in the race, was acceptable to the French authorities seems to be a decision that would not bear close scrutiny. When the event finally started, Rowley jogged the first lap, then started walking and the officials, recognizing the absurdity of the situation, permitted him to retire.

Rowley finally arrived back in Sydney in October and announced his retirement. After a brief return to racing in 1905, he served as honorary treasurer of the Australian AAU from 1908 to 1924. As a young man, he was an active rugby footballer and in his later years a keen golfer and cricketer, being honored with membership of the exclusive cricket club, I Zingari.

Personal Bests: 100y – 9.9 (1899); 100 – 10.9e (1900); 220y – 22.2 (1899).