Winners: Phil Edwards, Athletics
Phil Edwards during a track event at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.
Date: 1936
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
1936 - Feature Story
Phil Edwards had been an international calibre athlete for many years before finally being recognized as Canada’s top male athlete in 1936. That same year he also received the inaugural Lou Marsh Award as the country’s top athlete. His list of prior achievements included a Bronze medal from the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam and three Bronze medals at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Born in British Guiana, Edwards had just graduated from McGill University’s medical school in Montreal when he travelled to Berlin to compete in his third Olympic Games. As a black athlete, he competed in Nazi Germany, claiming his standing as one of the top middle distance runners in the world. He earned a Bronze medal in the 800m, finished fifth in the 1,500m final and in fourth place as a member of Canada’s men’s 4x400m relay team. In December of 1936, Dr. Phil Edwards was recognized as Canada’s top male athlete.
Career Highlights
- 1936 Bronze medal in the 800m at the Olympic Games in Berlin
- 1936 First recipient of the Lou Marsh Memorial Award
- 1936 Lionel Conacher Award (Canada’s male athlete of the year)
- 1932 Bronze medals in 800m, 1,500m, and 4x400m relay at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles
- 1928 Bronze medal in the 4x400m relay at the Olympic Games in Amsterdam
Phil Edwards in his running outfit.
Date: 1936
Collection: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Portrait of Phil Edwards.
Date: 1936
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Phil Edwards wearing his Canadian Olympic uniform.
Date: 1936
Collection: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
