Francis Lane

Who was Francis Lane?

Francis Adonijah Lane was an American athlete. He competed at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Greece.

Lane competed in the 100 metres, winning his heat with a time of 12.2 seconds. In the final, Lane finished in a dead heat for third place with Alojz Sokol of Hungary at 12.6 seconds, just barely ahead of Alexandros Chalkokondilis of Greece. Lane and Szokolyi are currently both considered to be bronze medallists by the International Olympic Committee. The Olympic Champion was honoured with a silver medal, an olive branch and a diploma. The second athlete with a bronze medal, laurel branch and a diploma, nothing for the third best man.

Lane was one of four students from Princeton University who participated in the Athens Games. The other Princetonians were Robert Garrett, Albert Tyler and Herbert Jamison.