- published: 19 Feb 2010
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Raymond "Ray" Clarence Ewry (October 14, 1873 – September 29, 1937) was an American track and field athlete who won 8 gold medals at the Olympic Games and 2 gold medals at the "Intercalated Games" (1906 in Athens). This puts him among the most successful Olympians of all time. His 8 Olympic gold medals in individual events are second only to Michael Phelps's 9.
Ewry was born in Lafayette, Indiana, and contracted polio as a young boy. For a short while, he was in a wheelchair, and it was feared that he might become paralysed for life.
However, Ewry did his own exercises and overcame his illness. Ewry attended Purdue University, where he became a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. After receiving a graduate degree in engineering at Purdue, he became a member of the New York Athletic Club. There, he specialised in now defunct events, the standing jumps: the standing high jump, the standing long jump and the standing triple jump. These events are identical to their normal versions, but are contested without a run-up.
Appreciated every word you said
Another hit, and I swear it's the last time
This should keep me in the straight and narrow
I'm such a sucker for the capital
She told me once, and that's all it took
To make me realize I'm starting over
It takes a strong boy, a strong push
And a reason to come clean
I've got a caddy, and a pistol
That says the light is turning green
There's sand grains in my hair
And love is in the air
So keep the rag top down
Because the sun's about to flicker out
There's no way
This closet's keeping me in here
I've got to break away
This gun is all that I've ever known
They took my lover away
Now I have upped the stakes
This confession is my only sin
Captivated by the passing lights
Incriminated by my growing up
And out of status premonitio is of their ways
I hold this curse at my arm's length out
I've got every reason to
My gut says, "Listen Up"