Mel Pender

Melvin Pender Jr. (born October 31, 1937 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American former athlete, an Olympic gold medalist in the 4x100 m relay at the 1968 Summer Olympics. He was a member of the Philadelphia Pioneer Track Club where he was coached by Alex Woodley. Pender set world records in the 50 yds at 5.0, 60 yds at 5.8, 70 yds at 6.8 and 100 meters at 9.9 seconds, and he is in several halls of fame. What people don't know is he didn't run track until the age of twenty five, while he was serving in Okinawa with the 82nd Airborne Division.

Mel Pender

Melvin Pender Jr. (born October 31, 1937 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American former athlete, an Olympic gold medalist in the 4x100 m relay at the 1968 Summer Olympics. He was a member of the Philadelphia Pioneer Track Club where he was coached by Alex Woodley. Pender set world records in the 50 yds at 5.0, 60 yds at 5.8, 70 yds at 6.8 and 100 meters at 9.9 seconds, and he is in several halls of fame. What people don't know is he didn't run track until the age of twenty five, while he was serving in Okinawa with the 82nd Airborne Division.