Glenn Cunningham

Glenn Cunninghamhttps://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/glenn-cunningham/12027Glenn's familyhttps://www.dyestat.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=44531&do=news&news_id=457885Imagine surviving an explosion with life-threatening burns. Now imagine being a silver medalist in the Olympics and considered the fastest man alive. These scenarios describe Olympian and burn survivor Glenn Cunningham. He suffered life-threatening burns on both legs as a 7-year-old when a stove in a school classroom in Everetts, Kansas, exploded, killing his older brother Floyd. (https://www.nytimes.com/). After being told there was a strong possibility he would never walk again, he spent seven months in bed, and then received daily massages from his mother, who kneaded his damaged muscles and sped his way to walking, and then running. He was selected as a member of the United States team for the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and finished fourth in the 1,500-meter run. In 1933 he won the Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athlete. (https://www.nytimes.com/). Despite life-threatening injuries, Glenn Cunningham proves one can achieve anything through hope and strength.

Glenn Cunninghamhttps://storiesoffaithandcourage.blogspot.com/2012/09/crippled-glenn-cunningham-became.htmlCunningham proved that he overcame his injuries by competing in the Olympics. Cunningham, who won a silver medal in the 1,500 meters at the 1936 Olympics, was a five-time American champion in the 1,500 meters and one of the first great indoor runners. (latimes.com). Considering the fact that he survived life-threatening burns on his legs, while still being one of the fastest men alive at that time is a huge achievement. He showed heroism by competing for the United States in the Olympics. Cunningham’s heroism can be seen by the United States because he won awards through his perseverance. Glenn ran in the 1932 Los Angeles and in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, as he had dreamed as a boy. Johnson, Melanie J. “Stories of Faith and Courage.” Crippled Glenn Cunningham became an Olympian, 1 Jan. 1970. He won Silver in the 1500 meter race in Berlin.  He retired from running in 1940 after the Olympics were cancelled due to the war.  Many still consider him the greatest American miler of all time. (storiesoffaithandcourage.blogspot.com).It is incredible to realize that Glenn achieved his dreams since he was a little boy. Glenn’s heroism can be seen by kids who are inspired in many ways and want to achieve something huge in their lives like Cunningham did. Cunningham’s heroism can be seen by the United States as an Olympian, as well as young children who are inspired to achieve their dreams.

Glenn Cunningham's American Mile Recordhttps://www.natemaas.com/2010/10/grand-reveal_31.htmlEveryone sets good as well as bad records for themselves which make them a personal hero. Cunningham succeed in college and in running which proved himself a personal hero. In 1933, Cunningham graduated from Kansas with the highest academic marks in his class. That year, he won the AAU 800 meters in a time of 1:51.8; the AAU 1,500 meters with a time of 3:52.3; and the won the NCAA mile once more, with a time of 4:09.8. (bleacherreport.com). Excelling in running is amazing, but achieving the highest academic marks in his class during college is a huge benefit. Cunningham’s heroism can be determined by his capability to succeed in academics and sports. Excelling the highest in running and academics is insane, but his exact statistics are unbelievable. At a sophomore at the University of Kansas, Mr. Cunningham set an American record for the mile with a time of 4 minutes 11.1 seconds. (https://www.nytimes.com/). 4 minutes and 11 seconds is like running 1 minute each lap around a track. Achieving the fastest American mile time while only being a sophomore in college is inspiring. Considering his injuries, achieving the fastest American mile time back then and succeeding in college, this makes Cunningham a hero and inspiration to all.

Despite life threatening injuries, Glenn Cunningham proves one can achieve anything through hope and strength. Cunningham suffered deathly burns on both of his legs. Despite this he proved that he could still achieve many victories and that he can inspire many. Many still consider him the greatest American miler of all time. Through hope and strength an inspiration makes a hero.