American sports official (1862-1914) and one of the founders of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) in 1888, who served as its secretary from 1889 until 1906, and was then elected as President of the Amateur Athletic Union from 1906 to 1909. Sullivan was very influential in the early Olympic movement, and helped organize the games in 1904, 1908, and 1912. TLS signed “J. E. Sullivan,” three pages, 8.5 x 11, American Committee, Olympic Games letterhead, April 28, 1908. Letter to marathon runner Alton Roy Welton, in part: "I want to say that I think you ran a remarkable race. I watched you very carefully. How you lost that race or what happened to you after the point at which I left I don't know. I would like to know. Was it a cramp? It could not have been exhaustion, what was it? I felt confident you would win that race. Your performance for fifteen, sixteen and seventeen miles was simply remarkable. After getting to the B. A. A. clubhouse I made the remark that, personally, I would recommend, if we had the money, that you be taken because I claim that any man who made the showing you did up to eighteen miles, and then finish, would have a very good chance in any Marathon Race…I would like to see you start in the Marathon Race in London. Perhaps you did go at too fast a gait, perhaps you have not had the experience, but I think that by working slowly from now until July—not tearing yourself apart, not wearing out your vitality—and by jogging along at intervals, taking long walks and eating well, thereby adding to your present strength, you can make any man run. I wanted to see you win that race because your running up to fifteen miles was a revelation to me…Now in relation to expenses, I am afraid that we will not have enough money to send you. I would make the recommendation that immediately upon the receipt of this letter you get your friends together—ten of them, ten enthusiastic citizens of Lawrence—and call upon the Mayor of Lawrence and insist that he issue a Proclamation for the citizens of Lawrence to the effect that you have honored them and honored Lawrence. It's the desire of all to have Americans in London this summer who will win." In fine condition, with several intersecting folds. Accompanied by a modern 8 x 10 reprint photo of Sullivan with other American Olympic Committee members circa 1912.
The race Sullivan refers to early in the letter was the 1908 Boston Marathon, in which Welton finished ninth and thus qualified himself for the London Olympics. Despite leading the 12th Boston Marathon through its initial 16 miles, breaking records at every checkpoint, Welton's pace slowed considerably upon 'hitting the wall.' Welton made his way to London for the marathon event on July 24th, and finished in fourth place behind fellow Americans Joseph Forshaw (bronze) and Johnny Hayes (gold), the latter finishing second place at the 1908 Boston Marathon.
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