James Edward Sullivan

James Edward Sullivan (18 November 1862 – 16 September 1914) was an American sports official of Irish descent.

He declined a fourth term and was re-elected to his former position as secretary-treasurer until his sudden death which followed an emergency operation.

He also was one of the most influential people in the early Olympic movement, although his relationship with IOC president Pierre de Coubertin was tense.

Sullivan was the advertising representative of Spalding, which provided running shoes, implements, balls and gloves for many sports.

He decided to allow only one water station on the 24.85-mile course of the marathon even though it was conducted in 32 °C (90 °F) heat over unpaved roads choked with dust.

American athlete of Indian origin Jim Thorpe competed in the 1912 games and won gold medals in the pentathlon and the decathlon.

There is evidence that the AAU was aware of Thorpe's status before the games[8][9] and allowed him to compete, only to rescind his medals afterward.