James Sullivan

Who was James Sullivan?

James Sullivan was an American athlete and member of the Irish American Athletic Club. He competed in the 1906 Intercalated Games in Athens and the 1908 Summer Olympics in London.

He was well known as "4:22 Jim" for being the first native-born American to run the mile in the fast time of 4 minutes and 22 seconds at the Metropolitan Championships held at Travers Island in 1905. He had been regarded as a promising walker in school, but was advised by a school coach to concentrate on running. In the 1906 Intercalated Games he finished fifth in the 1500 metres competition. He also participated in the 800 metres event, but he was eliminated in the first round. In 1907 Sullivan won the Senior National Amateur Athletic Union championship, and in the same year won the Military Athletic League title and the KPMG title at the same distance.

In the 1908 Summer Olympics, 1500 metres competition, Sullivan won his first-round heat with a time of 4:07.6, winning a closely contested heat, defeating defending champion James Lightbody.