Saturday, 23 November 2024

Al Oerter

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Athletes 2024
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Track & Field
Statistics: 4 Discus Olympic Gold Medals (1956, 1960, 1964 & 1968)
1 Discus Pan American Games Gold Medal (1959)
1 Silver Olympic Boycott Games (1980)
Member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame
Member of the IAAF Hall of Fame
There is not a more successful competitor in the discus than Al Oerter. It might not even be close. The previous statement is awe-inspiring, considering that there would not have been a surprise in all four of his Olympic Gold Medal wins had he failed to win any of them.

Oerter’s first Gold was in 1956 at the Melbourne Games, where he was not a favorite coming in and shocked the field as a teenager. While competing for the University of Kansas (he was a two-time discus champion), he was in a car accident that could have killed him. He underwent intensive physical therapy to regain his form. In the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Oerter’s teammate, Rink Babka, was the world record holder, but Oerter prevailed, coming from behind to win and setting an Olympic Record.

At the 1964 Tokyo Games, Oerter entered the event dealing with neck and rib injuries, yet won anyway, though his rib pain prevented his sixth throw. Oerter’s 1968 performance in Mexico City again saw him as the underdog to a teammate (Jay Silvester), but also he defied logic by winning and setting a new Olympic Record.

Oerter became the first athlete to win a Gold Medal in four consecutive Olympics, a record that was later tied but never done in his discipline. It is worth mentioning that Oerter made a comeback in 1980, failing to make the Olympic team, though the U.S. did not participate anyway. Oerter was asked to compete in the Olympic Boycott Games in Philadelphia, to which he won the Silver. He was 44 years old.

We are proud to nominate Al Oerter for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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