Paul Costello

Paul Vincent Costello (December 27, 1894 - April 17, 1986) was an American triple Olympic Gold Medal winner in rowing and he was the first person to win a gold medal in the same event, the double scull (2x), at three consecutive Olympics. He also won numerous national titles in both the single and double scull in the 1920s.

Costello won the double scull race with his cousin John B. Kelly, Sr., also known as Jack Kelly at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium and the 1924 Olympics in Paris. Costello repeated his winning ways at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam with a new partner Charles McIlvaine. All of the races were won handily.

Historically, Costello has been overshadowed somewhat by his cousin and long-time rowing partner Jack Kelly who was a triple Olympic Gold Medal winner in his own right, having won both the single and double scull at the 1920 games, along with the double scull at the 1924 games. Kelly gained additional fame as the father of Grace Kelly, Actress and Princess of Monaco, and John B. Kelly, Jr., an accomplished oarsman in his own right.

Achievements and Awards

* Gold Medal, Double Scull, 1920 Olympic Games
* Gold Medal, Double Scull, 1924 Olympic Games
* Gold Medal, Double Scull, 1928 Olympic Games
* Member, United States Rowing Hall of Fame, Double Scull, (elected 1956)

ources

* [http://www.natrowing.org/hall_of_fame.htm US Rowing Hall of Fame]
* [http://www.hickoksports.com Hicks Sports History]
* [http://www.databaseolympics.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=COSTEPAU01 databaseOlympics]