Medal, Commemorative

Object/Artifact

-

Shanaman Sports Museum

Name/Title

Medal, Commemorative

Entry/Object ID

1247L

Description

This medallion was presented to “Mrs. Gertrude Wilhelmsen” by New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia for her participation in the 1936 Summer Olympics. The medallion reads, “Presented by Fiorello H. La Guardia Mayor to Mrs. Gertrude Wilhelmsen 1936 Olympian.” On the back is a hand grasping an olive branch. An Olive wreath was the prize for winning a the ancient Olympic Games. The Puyallup High School graduate placed second in the discus (116 feet, 9 inches) and third in the javelin (119-3) to qualify for the Untied States Olympic team. She placed seventh in the javelin and eighth in the discus at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, the best showing by an American in those events in Berlin.

Made/Created

Date made

1936

Lexicon

Search Terms

Track & Field, Track and Field, Olympics, Documentary Artifact

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Wilhemsen, Gertrude

Person or Organization

La Guardia, Fiorello

Person or Organization

1936 Summer Olympics

Person or Organization

Puyallup High School

Person or Organization

United States Olympic team

Person or Organization

1936 Berlin Summer Olympics