Ray Ewry: Celebrating 124 Years Since His First Olympic Games
Lafayette Native’s Journey from Polio to Purdue to Olympic Glory

Today, the LUM Ray Ewry Center buzzes with the energy and excitement of students engaged in the LUM 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program.
But do you know Ray Ewry?
As the entire country immerses itself in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, it’s fitting to look back and celebrate the incredible achievements of one of the most remarkable athletes in Olympic history, Ray Ewry. It all started 124 years ago in the same city. Ray Ewry’s Olympic career began in 1900 in Paris, where he won three gold medals in a single day. He continued his dominance in the 1904, 1906, and 1908 Olympics, ultimately earning ten gold medals, a record that stood unchallenged until 2008.
Ray Ewry‘s story is truly remarkable. Despite overcoming childhood polio, Ewry not only regained his ability to walk but also excelled in athletics at Purdue, setting world records in the standing high jump, standing long jump, and standing triple jump. Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Ewry’s legacy extends to pioneering contributions in engineering, notably during World War I and in the construction of New York City’s aqueduct.
His achievements stand as a testament to perseverance and excellence, inspiring young people to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams — especially the LUM students, young people of Lafayette, Indiana, and students at Purdue University. As the Games return to Paris, LUM honors the enduring legacy of Ray Ewry, whose journey from adversity to Olympic greatness continues to ignite inspiration and motivation across generations worldwide.
The Early “Lafayette” Years: Overcoming Adversity
Raymond Clarence Ewry was born in Lafayette, Indiana, on October 14, 1873. Orphaned at the age of five, Ewry’s early years were marked by hardship and struggle. At the age of seven, he was struck by polio, a debilitating disease that left him confined to a wheelchair. Despite this, young Ray refused to accept a life of limitations. Through sheer determination and relentless exercise, he not only regained the ability to walk but also strengthened his legs to an extraordinary degree.
Academic and Athletic Prowess at Purdue
In 1890, after graduating from Jefferson High School in Lafayette, IN, Ray Ewry entered Purdue University, where his talents extended beyond academics. He played football and captained the track team, leading Purdue to its first national track title. His exceptional performance in standing jumps—standing high jump, standing long jump, and standing triple jump—was unmatched, with Ewry breaking world records in each discipline. He earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in civil and mechanical engineering from Purdue, and taught engineering before moving to New Jersey in 1899 to join the New York Athletic Club.
Olympic Glory
Ray Ewry’s Olympic journey is a testament to his extraordinary abilities and spirit. Competing in the 1900 Paris Olympics, Ewry won gold medals in all three standing jump events, all held on the same day, July 16. His dominance continued at the 1904 St. Louis Olympics, where he defended his titles in each standing jump event. Ewry also triumphed in the 1906 Intercalated Games and the 1908 London Olympics, bringing his total Olympic gold medal count to ten. This record remained unchallenged until swimmer Michael Phelps earned his eleventh gold in 2008.

Legacy and Honors

Nicknamed “The Human Frog” for his extraordinary leaping ability, Ewry was a 15-time national champion in the standing jumps from 1898 to 1910. His world record in the standing long jump (3.48 meters or 11 feet 5 inches) stood until the event was discontinued internationally in the 1930s.
Beyond his athletic achievements, Ewry’s contributions extended to engineering. He played a key role in designing boilers for US naval vessels during World War I and was the lead engineer for the construction of the aqueduct that supplies water from the Catskill Mountains to New York City. Even at 39, Ewry attempted to make the 1912 Olympic team, showcasing his enduring dedication to the sport.
Honors and Memorials
Ray Ewry’s legacy continues to be celebrated. In 1983, he was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
In 2011, the Lafayette Urban Ministry Board of Directors dedicated the LUM Ray Ewry Center in his honor, serving as an inspiration to the students of the LUM Youth Programs who learn and play in this center (pictured).
His remarkable achievements were further commemorated in 2012 with a unveiling of a monument at Lafayette Jefferson High School; in 2014 with the dedication of the Raymond Clarence Ewry Memorial Parkway (a section of US 231 that passes through the Purdue campus), and in 2019, with the opening of the Raw Ewry Sports Engineering Center at Purdue University.
Conclusion
As we celebrate the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, all of us at LUM remember Ray Ewry not only as an extraordinary athlete but also as an inspirational figure who overcame tremendous odds to achieve greatness. His story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the heights that can be reached with determination and hard work. Ray Ewry, the greatest jumper in Olympic history, will always be a source of pride and inspiration for his hometown of Lafayette, Indiana, and for sports enthusiasts around the world.