In 1896, he won the triple jump, becoming the first winner of an Olympic Gold Medal since the last games 1,500 years earlier in ancient Greece.

Connolly was born in South Boston and was a freshman at Harvard when he requested a leave of absence to go to the games. His request was denied, so Connolly dropped out and went anyway.

He nearly did not make it to Athens in time for the games when his wallet was stolen in Naples.