Ira Murchison

{{Short description|American athletic competitor (1933–1994)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}

{{Infobox sportsperson

| name = Ira Murchison

| image =

| caption =

| full_name = Ira James Murchison

| nickname = Sputnik

| birth_date = {{Birth-date|February 6, 1933}}

| birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

| death_date = {{Death-date and age|March 28, 1994|February 6, 1933}}

| death_place = Harvey, Illinois, U.S.

| height = 5'5"

| weight = 143 lb

| show-medals = yes

| medaltemplates =

{{Medal|Sport|Men's athletics}}

{{Medal|Country|the {{USA}}}}

{{Medal|Competition|Olympic Games}}

{{Medal|Gold|1956 Melbourne|4 × 100 m relay}}

{{Medal|Competition|Pan American Games}}

{{Medal|Gold|1963 São Paulo|4 × 100 m relay}}

{{Medal|Bronze| 1963 São Paulo | 100 metres}}

{{Medal|Competition|World University Games}}

{{Medal|Silver|1957 Paris|100 metres}}

}}

Ira James Murchison (February 6, 1933 – March 28, 1994) was an American athlete, winner of the gold medal in 4 × 100 m relay at the 1956 Summer Olympics.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, he attended Phillips High School. Murchison was noted for his exceptional speed from the starting block, which earned him a nickname Human Sputnik.

Before the Melbourne Olympics, Murchison equalled twice the 100 m world record of 10.2 and ran in Berlin a new world record of 10.1, thus becoming one of the favourites to win the 100 m Olympic gold medal. But at Melbourne, Murchison managed to finish only in a disappointing fourth place. He also ran the leadoff leg of the 4 × 100 m relay team for the United States, and helped the American team to a gold medal in a world record time of 39.5.

He attended the University of Iowa, but later transferred to Western Michigan. In 1957, Murchison repeated the {{convert|100|yd|abbr=on}} world record of 9.3 and, as a Western Michigan University student, won the 1958 NCAA championships in {{convert|100|yd|abbr=on}}. At the 1963 Pan American Games, Murchison finished third in the 100 m and helped the American 4 × 100 m relay team to win a gold medal.

During the 1970s, Murchison was the coach of a women's track team in Chicago. One of the women he coached was 1976 Olympic sprinter, Rosalyn Bryant.

Ira Murchison died of cancer in Harvey, Illinois, aged 61.