Editing Reggie Walker (sprinter) (section)

== Biography ==
Born in the [[Colony of Natal]], Walker, the 1907 South African Champion, was not among the big favourites for the 100 metres at the [[1908 Summer Olympics]]. He even had trouble getting to [[London]], as he lacked the necessary finances until a Natal sportswriter collected funds to support Walker's travel. In England, he was coached by [[Sam Mussabini]], later also the coach of [[Harold Abrahams]].

Several of the big names did not qualify for the final, but Walker did. His first round was a relatively easy victory run in 11.0 seconds. In the second round, Walker edged out [[William W. May]] of the [[United States]] while tying the Olympic record of 10.8 seconds. This qualified him for the final. There he competed against three North Americans, including [[James Rector (athlete)|James Rector]] of the United States, who had equalled the Olympic record in both of the qualifier rounds. Walker beat Rector in the final by about a foot and half, again equaling the Olympic record in 10.8 seconds.

Walker was still the youngest winner of the Olympic 100 metres {{As of|2021|lc=on}} (at 19 years and 128 days).

During [[World War I]], Walker served with the 7th Infantry in [[German South West Africa]], before joining the [[South African Overseas Expeditionary Force]] in 1917, serving in [[Western Front (World War I)|France]], during which time he received a gunshot wound to the head. Walker was discharged from the Army in 1919 and later worked as a clerk with [[Ropes & Mattings]] in [[Nairobi]], [[Kenya Colony]], before returning to South Africa.<ref>{{cite Sports-Reference |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/wa/reggie-walker-1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417094443/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/wa/reggie-walker-1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 April 2020|accessdate=1 August 2018}}</ref>