Charlie Booth
This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (November 2021) |
Charlie Booth | |
---|---|
Born | 1 October 1903 |
Died | 20 May 2008 | (aged 104)
Nationality | Australian |
Occupation | Athlete, inventor |
Charlie Booth (1 October 1903 – 20 May 2008)[1] was an Australian athlete.
Career[]
In the 1930s, he was a champion runner who participated in several Stawell Gifts, until a victory in 1939. He was also a fitter and turner apprentice. Booth is widely credited for inventing starting blocks for sprinting races, along with his father.[1]
When he first used his invention in a race, made from a T-bar and a block of wood cut in half, he was disqualified for life. The decision was overturned a few weeks later.[2]
At age 100, Booth gave a rare interview about his long and successful life.[3]
In 2006, the then 102-year-old wanted to run in a special Stawell Gift over-40s race, with the prize being a pig, but in the end he decided against it.[1]
Death[]
In 2007, he celebrated his 104th birthday with a small private party.[4] Nearly eight months later in May 2008, Booth died at the age of 104.
References[]
- ^ a b c Vale Charlie Booth 1903–2008 Archived 20 November 2008 at archive.today
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ A marathon man with plenty of punch left yet - FeaturesGeneral - www.theage.com.au
- ^ "Booth's 104th birthday". goldcoast.com.au. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2007.
- 1903 births
- 2008 deaths
- Australian centenarians
- 20th-century Australian inventors
- Australian male sprinters
- Australian masters athletes
- Men centenarians
- Australian athletics biography stubs