Al Oerter

Alfred Adolf Oerter, Jr. known as Al Oerter (born the September 19th 1936 with Astoria and dead the 1 {{er}} October 2007) was a American Athlète , practitioner the Throwing the discus. It will consecutively remain in the history of the athletics like the first athlete to have conquered four Olympic gold medals. A performance that only Carl Lewis will republish with the long jump.

Biography

For its first Olympic Games, the Olympic Games of 1956 with Melbourne, although not being a favorite at the beginning of the competition, it carries out a throw with 56,36 meters, its personal record, which grants the gold medal to him.

The following year 1957 has failed to mark the end of its career. He escapes dead at the time of an automobile accident. Returned on the tracks, it continues its progression and returns for its second Olympiad with the plays of Rome. It is not however the favorite of the test, having been beaten during the American selections by its compatiote Rink Bakka. It gains however again the contest there.

Por its third participation in the plays, he is again an applicant with the title, but the big favorite is Czech Ludvik Danek, who gained 45 consecutive contests. Moreover, Oerter is decreased by a wound at the coasts and a wound with the neck. During its fifth test, it becomes the first to pass the bar of the 200 feet, that is to say xxxx Mr. It carried out this exploit whereas it withdrew the minerve which protected the neck to him. Although the pain prevents it from trying its last test, it gains its third title.

Its fourth go with the plays begin with one hour from delay, because of a violent storm. The contest disputes under the rain. This one is in theory promi with American Jay Silvester, then holder of the world records with 68,40 meters. After the first test, the courcours is carried out by two German of the east, Milde and Losch. Oerter, during its third test, lance beyond the 64 meters to take the head of the contest. In same time, Silvester misses its test, then the following whereas Oerter establishes a new test beyond the 64 meters, with 4 centimetres of its preceding mark. Oerter preserves its Olympic title, establishing, with the 64,78 meters of its third test, a new personal record. It becomes moreover the first athlete of the history to gain four consecutive titles at the time of the plays, exploit which will be equalized later by Carl Lewis.

It then withdraws tracks before raising a new challenge for the plays of Moscow. Its attempt during the American selections shows the fourth place, which deprives it of a selection for the plays. However, the American selection did not go to Moscow because of the boycott required by the US president Jimmy Carter to protest against the invasion of the Afghanistan by the Soviet troops.

This same 1980, Al Oerter year produces at 44 years its best jet in career with 69 meters 46.

Prize list

Olympic Games of summer

Gold medal with the Olympic Games of 1968 with Mexico City
Gold medal with the Olympic Games of 1964 with Tokyo
Gold medal with the Olympic Games of 1960 with Rome
Gold medal with the Olympic Games of 1956 with Melbourne

Pan-American Plays

Pan-American plays 1959, Chicago

Gold medal

World records

world records with 61m10 in 1962
world records with 62m45 in 1962
world records with 62m62 in 1963
world records with 62m94 in 1964

Others

ten times champion of the United States

References

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