John B. Kelly Jr.

Sports and rowing

A rower who specialized in the single scull (1x), Kelly represented the United States at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, England, United Kingdom; the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland; and the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia (winning the bronze medal). In the double scull (2x), he represented the United States at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy. He also won gold medals at the 1955 and 1959 Pan American Games

Kelly at Henley

Kelly's father, John B. Kelly Sr., won two gold medals at the 1920 Summer Olympics, capturing both the single scull (1x) and the double scull (2x). The senior Kelly repeated his victory in the double scull at the 1924 Summer Olympics. In 1920, despite his accomplishments as a rower, the senior Kelly's entry was rejected at the then most prestigious rowing event in the world, the Henley Royal Regatta. According to the minutes of the regatta's Committee of Management, Kelly was excluded for two reasons: first, because having worked as a bricklayer he was not eligible under the regatta's then rules on amateurism (which excluded anyone "...who is or ever has been … by trade or employment for wages a mechanic, artisan or labourer") and second because he was a member of Vesper Boat Club which was banned in 1906 after members of their 1905 crew raised money through a public subscription to pay for their travel expenses. Kelly's exclusion was widely reported in newspapers in both the UK and US, with many seeing it as an attempt to prevent an American from winning the prestigious Diamond Challenge Sculls event in England. Only one American, Edward Ten Eyck, had previously won the event, in 1897.

In 1947, Kelly Jr. won the Diamond Challenge Sculls (single scull) at the Henley, the event from which his father had been excluded. In recognition of his accomplishment, Kelly was awarded the 1947 James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States. In 1949 Kelly repeated his feat and again won the Diamond Challenge Sculls at Henley. In 1980, Kelly's sister Princess Grace of Monaco was invited to present the trophies at the Regatta. In 2003, the Princess Grace Challenge Cup named in her honour was first presented. In 2004, Grace's son (and Kelly's nephew) Prince Albert of Monaco presented the trophies at the Regatta.

Kelly at the Olympics

At the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, Kelly competed on the same Henley course where he had won the Diamond Challenge Sculls the year before. Kelly won his opening heat, but did not make the finals after finishing second to eventual silver medalist Eduardo Risso in the semi-finals. (Due to course width constrictions, the Henley course could only handle a 3 boat final).

At the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Kelly again won his opening heat. In the semi-final, which was one to qualify, Kelly finished second to eventual champion Yuriy Tyukalov, and Kelly was relegated to the repechage, or second-chance race, which was also one to qualify for the final. In the repechage, Kelly's main competitor was Teodor Kocerka of Poland. They fought all the way down the course with Kocerka, who would go on to win the bronze medal, prevailing in a close finish.

In 1974, Kelly headed a group of Philadelphia business men who became owners of the Philadelphia Bell, a franchise in the now defunct World Football League. Kelly's name and connections were important in giving the franchise legitimacy and in negotiating agreements with the city of Philadelphia. However, as the first season progressed, Kelly stepped aside as the team president in favor of John Bosacco, who owned a controlling interest in the franchise.

In February 1985, Kelly was elected president of the United States Olympic Committee. Kelly was posthumously inducted into the United States Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame as a contributor. Kelly and his father are the only parent-child duo in the Olympic Hall of Fame.

Business career Kelly led John B. Kelly Incorporated, the bricklaying company founded by his father. Kelly also served as director of Lincoln National Bank.

Civic leadership and political career Kelly was president of the effort to organize a world's fair in Philadelphia to be held in the American Bicentennial year of 1976. Kelly served as president and director of the Philadelphia Athletic Club, as well as the director of the Pennsylvania Ballet. As a philanthropist, Kelly regularly gave a significant amount of money to charities. These charities included several funds belonging to the University of Pennsylvania. Kelly and Freeman divorced in 1980.

On May 28, 1981, Kelly married Sandra Lee Worley, a banker. She was the daughter of Laura Kristine Worley and Chief Warrant Officer Russell Edwin. They remained married until Kelly's death in 1985.

Death On the morning of March 2, 1985, Kelly suffered a fatal heart attack while jogging to The Athletic Club in Philadelphia after his customary morning row on the Schuylkill River.

Achievements and awards Diamond Scull, Henley Royal Regatta, 1947 and 1949 James E. Sullivan Award Winner in 1947 Member of the US Olympic team in 1948, 1952, 1956, and 1960 Olympic Bronze Medalist in Single Scull, 1956 8-time United States National Champion, single scull Member of the US rowing Hall of Fame, elected 1956 Manager for the 1964 Olympic Gold Medal eight man boat President of the United States Olympic Committee United States Olympic Hall of Fame, as a contributor Olympic Order in Silver City Councilman (Democrat-Philadelphia)

Legacy Kelly Drive, Philadelphia, formerly East River Drive, was renamed in his honor after his death. Boathouse Row is located here.