The New York Times – Sports:
In 1956 in Melbourne, he was dueling with another American when an English runner burst toward the finish line. But Courtney had one last surge in him.
Author: Frank Litsky
-
John Devitt, Champion Swimmer With a Tarnished Gold Medal, Dies at 86
The New York Times – Sports:
He won two Olympic gold medals for Australia, but the second was awarded after a disputed finish — one of the more freakish moments in sports history.
-
Herb Douglas, Olympic Medalist Inspired by Jesse Owens, Dies at 101
The New York Times – Sports:
Believed to be the oldest living Olympic medalist at his death, he met Owens as a teenager, won bronze in the broad jump in 1948 and later created an award in his idol’s honor.
-
Pat McCormick, Olympic Diving Champion, Is Dead at 92
The New York Times – Sports:
The first diver to sweep the gold medals in two Olympics, she won 26 national championships in a career that ended when she was still in her 20s.
-
Vince Dooley, Hall of Fame Football Coach for Georgia, Dies at 90
The New York Times – Sports:
In a 25-year coaching career, he appeared in 20 bowl games and won 201 games, the fourth-highest total in Southeastern Conference history.
-
Don Gehrmann, Whose Victory in a Mile Took 314 Days, Dies at 94
The New York Times – Sports:
After a dead-heat finish in the 1950 Wanamaker Mile in New York and a series of yes-no-yes rulings, he was finally declared the winner almost a year later.
-
Pete Carril, Princeton’s Textbook Basketball Coach, Dies at 92
The New York Times – Sports:
Without the aid of athletic scholarships, he turned outgunned teams into winners by keeping players moving, passing, finding the open man and generally unnerving opponents.
-
Hobie Billingsley, Coach of a Diving Dynasty, Dies at 95
The New York Times – Sports:
A national champion diver himself, he led Indiana University to glory over 31 years and guided gold medal winners in the Olympics.