Al Oerter, the four-time discus gold medalist who is one of the greatest athletes in Olympic history, has
died at the age of 71. Oerter and Carl Lewis are the only track and field athletes to win the same event in four consecutive Olympic Games. Oerter set new Olympic records in each of his victories, in 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1968.
He retired after the 1968 games, but in 1980, at the age of 43, Oerter tried to qualify for the Olympic team one last time. Although he actually bettered his previous personal best, he finished fourth in the Olympic trials that year.
Olympic Great Al Oerter Dies at 71 - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog
10-01-2007, 03:11 PM
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