Woodlawn's Olympic History

Olympic fever abounds in Maryland. Congratulations were extended for Gold Medals to Michael Phelps' swimming competitions in 2004 and now Kimmie Meissner's career high scores for her ice skating performances.

But wait! While reviewing Olympic history, the editors of The Woodlawn Villager uncovered an Olympic GOLD Medal winner in Woodlawn at the Social Security Administration. Dr. Charles L. Jenkins, an External Affairs Liaison Specialist in the Office of Communications, is a double GOLD Medal winner for his performances in Track and Field events in the 1956 Summer Olympics Games.

Charles won an individual GOLD medal for his first place finish in the 400m race. He, along with team members Tom Courtney, Lou Jones, and Jesse Mashburn won GOLD medals for their first place finish in the 1600m relay race.

When asked if there were any significant differences in the games, Charles said "We were unpaid amateurs and received one dollar a day while we were at the Olympics," and endorsements were rare.

Of the experience, Charles said it was the opportunity of a lifetime only made better by sharing the experience again as his son, Charles L. Jenkins, Jr. Esq., competed and won a GOLD medal in a relay event in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona! He said that there is no record of any other father and son having ever competed in the Olympics Games.

(Reprint from The Woodlawn Villager Newspaper)

www.woodlawnvillager.com