Arnie Sowell

Who is Arnie Sowell?

Arnold M. Sowell is a former middle distance runner from the United States, who represented his native country at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. Here he finished fourth in the 800 m, but did receive a gold medal in the 4x400 m relay for being a non-running member of the winning USA squad.

He is best known for winning the gold medal in the men's 800 metres event during the 1955 Pan American Games in Mexico City. Sowell also set the world indoor record for the 880-yard run in 1957 at 1:50.3 s and tied the world record for the 1,000 yards of 2:08.2 s in 1955.

He was recognised as a very versatile and talented runner who could run a variety of distances, and even hurdle and long jump., One track coach, George Eastment, described him as the "greatest runner I ever saw"., another Carl Olson felt he could break the four-minute mile. During his career he had a particular rivalry with his fellow countryman and middle-distance runner, Tom Courtney, the two swapping victories and being involved in many memorable duels.