Looking back at Olympic history, many athletes have left their mark with their unique stories and achievements. One of these athletes who has faded into the mists of time is NDN All-Star #103 Frank Pierce (Seneca), the first Native American to compete in the Olympic Games.
A Talented Runner
Frank Pierce was born in 1883. Growing up in western New York, he showed that he was a great runner from a young age. Running wasn’t just a sport for Pierce; it was a way of life. His diminutive size (5-6 and 125 lbs.) made him an ideal distance runner. He trained hard, often running barefoot on tough surfaces, which helped him become strong and resilient.
Early Achievements
Frank Pierce first came to national attention in 1901 when he recorded a time of 15:57.4 for 3 miles. He also finished second that year in the AAU 5-mile championship, followed by a 3rd-place finish in the same event in 1902. These early achievements showed his potential and dedication as a distance runner.
The Olympic Marathon
At the St. Louis Olympic Games in 1904, Frank Pierce represented the Pastime AC of New York City, and entered the marathon. The race was very tough, with a difficult course and harsh conditions. It was filled with a lot of craziness. Here is an article telling that story: https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a37039437/1904-olympic-marathon/ )
Unfortunately, Pierce did not finish the race, and the St. Louis newspapers did not mention him in any of their summaries. Despite this, just being in the Olympics was a huge achievement for Pierce and a significant breakthrough for Native American athletes.
Remembering Frank Pierce
Today, we remember NDN All-Star #103 Frank Pierce not just as an Olympic competitor but as someone who brought attention to the athletic talents of Native Americans on the world stage. I hope that sharing his story will inspire young athletes everywhere.
Mystery Man
Not much is known about Frank Pierce after his appearance in the Olympics. (At least I cannot find much information on him after that time.) Did he continue to run? Did he help coach young athletes? If you have information about his later life, please leave a comment below to help us create a fuller picture of an Indian athlete that certainly deserves more notoriety and recognition.
Bill Black is the creator and “General Manager of NDN All-Stars, celebrating great Native American athletes past and present. He is a first generation descendant of the Okanogan Band of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and resides in Omak, WA.
#NDNAllstars #Olympics #track&field #FrankPierce #marathon #running #Seneca
If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.
Thank you for your support!
