Jack Metcalfe

Who was Jack Metcalfe?

John "Jack" Patrick Metcalfe was an Australian athlete who competed in high jump, long jump and javelin events, though he is best remembered as a triple jumper.

He was educated at Sydney Boys High School and competed for Sydney University Athletics Club.

At the 1934 Empire Games, Metcalfe won the triple jump and took a bronze medal in the long jump. In the high jump event he finished fourth.

Competing in Sydney on 14 December 1935, Metcalfe set a new world record in the triple jump, leaping 15.78 metres.

In 1936, Metcalfe won the bronze medal in the men's triple jump at the Olympic Games held in Berlin, Germany. The winner Naoto Tajima of Japan broke the Australian's world record during the competition. It was later reported that Metcalfe, who was self-coached, assisted the Japanese athletes during the competition and that German officials had complained about this. Metcalfe also participated in the high jump competition and finished twelfth.

Metcalfe's bronze was the only medal won by the entire Australian team at this Olympic Games.

At his final international competition - the 1938 British Empire Games in his home-town of Sydney - Metcalfe defended his triple jump gold medal and also took bronze in the javelin. In the long jump event he finished fifth and in the high jump competition he finished seventh.