Columbus, OH, April 20, 1929
Ohio State’s George Simpson secured his place at the top of the sprint world in a track meet between Ohio and Pittsburgh in Columbus. Simpson first ran 100 yards in 9.5, then completed the 220 on a straight track in 20.6, which corresponds to a time of 21.0 for a 200-meter race on a full curve. The official world record for the distance was held, though controversially, by Roland Locke, who had recorded 20.6 in 1926.
According to officials, the flags leaned against the poles, yet neither of Simpson’s times were accepted as official world records.