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Mel SheppardMelvin Whinfield "Mel" Sheppard (September 5, 1883 - January 4, 1942) was an American athlete, winner of four gold medals at the 1908 Summer Olympics and 1912 Summer Olympics. Born in Almonesson Lake, New Jersey, Mel Sheppard, or "Peerless Mel" as he was nicknamed, was rejected by the New York Police because he had a weak heart. But this didn't stop him to win three AAU titles in 880 yd (805 m) from 1906 to 1908 and became a main favourite in middle distance at London Olympics. Noted for being a frontrunner, Sheppard, at London, went through the first 400 metres in 53 seconds and on to win the 800 m in the world record time of 1.52.8. He also won a 1500 m with a world record of 4:03.4. He earned his third gold medal on the medley relay race. After winning an AAU titles in 880 yd in 1911 and 1912, Sheppard was again a main favourite of Olympic 800 m champion title at the Stockholm Olympics. At Stockholm, he tried the same tactics as in London, but after an opening lap of 52.4, he was overtaken by teammate Ted Meredith who set a new world record of 1.51.9. Sheppard won his fourth gold medal as lead-off runner on the 4 x 400 m relay team that set a world record of 3:16.6. After retireing from sports Sheppard became a lawyer (he was one of the defenders of the Lindbergh child kidnapper Bruno Hauptmann). For many years, he was also the recreation director of the Millrose A.A. Mel Sheppard died in Queens, New York City. Sheppard, Mel Sheppard, Mel Sheppard, Mel
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