John Tait (athlete)

Jack Tait (John Lindsay "Jack" Tait; September 25, 1888 – July 10, 1971) was a Canadian athlete. Known as the athletic world's "Boy Wonder", he competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London and the 1912 Summer Olympics in . He was born in Toronto, Ontario.

In 1908, at just 19 years of age, Tait won his first round heat of the 1500 metres with a time of 4:12.2. Despite the relatively slow time (other heat winners ran as fast as 4:03.4), Tait won by nearly fifty yards. His time in the final was much quicker, at 4:06.8, and he finished in fourth place.

Tait also competed in the 1908 marathon and the 5 miles, failing to finish in either event.

In 1912, facing speculative news from doctors that his heart had become enlarged from eight grueling years of training and competition, Tait finished fourth in his heat of the 1500 metres, failing to qualify for the final. He also competed in the marathon, again failing to finish.

Outside of the Olympics, Tait was one of the most versatile middle and long distance runners in the world, and one of the great milers of his era. In 1907, he finished just 10 yards behind Tom Longboat in the gruelling 15-mile Montreal Marathon road race, with both runners being watched in the streets by a crowd of 200,000. He ran 4:05 for 1,500 metres at the 1908 Olympic Trials in Rosedale Stadium, Toronto, a Canadian record that stood until 1933. Tait also won a gold medal in the mile at the Festival of the Empire Sports held at Crystal Palace (the forerunner to both the British Empire and Commonwealth Games), in London, 1911. Most importantly for him, Canada's 'Empire Games' team won the championship at Crystal Palace over Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand. He was awarded both his 24-karate, pure gold medals by King George V (the 'stutterer's' father). Upon returning to Toronto, his friends and teammates looked on in front of a crowd of 20,000 people outside Old City Hall, as Jack Tait sheepishly accepted a new Grandfather Clock from the mayor for his win in the mile.

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