Drew's Decade.

The 1910s witnessed the rise of Howard P. Drew, the first in a long line of African American sprinters during the twentieth century who earned the title of "the world's fastest human." In 1910 and 1911 he first gained national attention by winning national junior championships in the 100- and 220-yard dashes. Drew became a favorite for a gold medal in the 1912 Olympic Games by defeating Ralph Craig of the University of Michigan in the 100 meters at the Eastern Olympic Trials. In the Olympic Games at Stockholm Drew won his semifinal in 10.7 seconds, but declined to compete in the final because of an injury sustained in the semifinal. Craig, the 1910 and 1911 collegiate champion at 100 and 220 yards, won the Olympic gold medal in the 100 meters, defeating compatriot Donald Lippincott, who set world and Olympic records of 10.6 seconds in the semifinal. Craig, who had twice...