Milton Green
Encyclopedia
This article is about the American
sportsperson. For other uses, see Milton Green (disambiguation)
Milton Green (October 31, 1913 - March 30, 2005) was a world record holder in high hurdles
during the 1930s.
He was born in Lowell
, Massachusetts
in 1913 and attended Harvard University
.
He first equaled the world mark of 5.8 seconds in 45-yard high hurdles in 1935 at a track meet with Yale University
and Princeton University
.
He tied the world record for 60-Meter high hurdles of 7.5 seconds at an Olympic trial heat at Madison Square Garden
in early 1936. Green was considered sure to make the team in 1936, but chose not to participate. He protested the event being held in Berlin
, center of Nazi Germany
.
Although Green remained a world class hurdler for many years, he was convinced by his Rabbi to Boycott the Olympic Games based on what was happening in Nazi Germany World War II
. The boycott by Milton Green and Harvard teammate Norman Cahners was not publicized at the time.
Green had this to say on an interview transcribed by the US Holocaust Museum.
"Both Cahners and I decided that we would boycott the Olympics. We just felt it was the right thing to do. I spoke to the track coach at Harvard. We told him about our intention. He tried to persuade us not to do it. He said he didn't think it would do much good, and we should try to go to the final tryouts and try to make the team. But we didn't want to do that. After we boycotted the Olympics, no one came to speak to us or ask us if we'd make any statements about it. And I don't think anyone knew particularly that we did boycott it. I think back on making that decision and whether I would have won silver or gold or some sort of a medal, and every time I go to the Olympics — I've been to three of them — I particularly watch the high hurdles and the long jump, and I picture myself as maybe having won a medal in it."
After service in the United States Army
in World War II
, Milton became a shopping center developer until he retired in 1971.
He was inducted into The Harvard Athletic Hall of Fame in 1961.
He was elected into The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
in 1997.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sportsperson. For other uses, see Milton Green (disambiguation)
Milton Green (October 31, 1913 - March 30, 2005) was a world record holder in high hurdles
Hurdling
Hurdling is a type of track and field race.- Distances :There are sprint hurdle races and long hurdle races. The standard sprint hurdle race is 110 meters for men and 100 meters for women. The standard long hurdle race is 400 meters for both men and women...
during the 1930s.
He was born in Lowell
Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
in 1913 and attended Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
He first equaled the world mark of 5.8 seconds in 45-yard high hurdles in 1935 at a track meet with Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
and Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
.
He tied the world record for 60-Meter high hurdles of 7.5 seconds at an Olympic trial heat at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
in early 1936. Green was considered sure to make the team in 1936, but chose not to participate. He protested the event being held in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, center of Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
.
Although Green remained a world class hurdler for many years, he was convinced by his Rabbi to Boycott the Olympic Games based on what was happening in Nazi Germany World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The boycott by Milton Green and Harvard teammate Norman Cahners was not publicized at the time.
Green had this to say on an interview transcribed by the US Holocaust Museum.
"Both Cahners and I decided that we would boycott the Olympics. We just felt it was the right thing to do. I spoke to the track coach at Harvard. We told him about our intention. He tried to persuade us not to do it. He said he didn't think it would do much good, and we should try to go to the final tryouts and try to make the team. But we didn't want to do that. After we boycotted the Olympics, no one came to speak to us or ask us if we'd make any statements about it. And I don't think anyone knew particularly that we did boycott it. I think back on making that decision and whether I would have won silver or gold or some sort of a medal, and every time I go to the Olympics — I've been to three of them — I particularly watch the high hurdles and the long jump, and I picture myself as maybe having won a medal in it."
After service in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Milton became a shopping center developer until he retired in 1971.
He was inducted into The Harvard Athletic Hall of Fame in 1961.
He was elected into The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame was opened July 7, 1981, in Netanya, Israel. It honors Jewish athletes and their accomplishments from anywhere around the world....
in 1997.
See also
- List of select Jewish track and field athletes
External links
- Bio on JewishSports.net
- "Video clip of Milton Green racing in 1935" - British Pathe archive footage: Milton Green races for Harvard and wins, 1935.