Charlie Booth
Charlie Booth | |
---|---|
Born | October 1, 1903 |
Died | May 20, 2008 104) | (aged
Known for | athlete |
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
- 1 2 3 Vale Charlie Booth 1903 - 2008 Archived 29 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 2014-11-14.
- ↑ A marathon man with plenty of punch left yet - FeaturesGeneral - www.theage.com.au
- ↑ "Booth's 104th birthday". goldcoast.com.au. 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-12-10.