American Olympic hero Oerter dies
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Oct 2 (AFP): Four-time Olympic discus gold medalist and former world record holder Al Oerter died Monday of heart failure in Florida. He was 71.
Oerter is considered one of the greatest American track and field athletes of all-time and is one of only two Olympic athletes, along with Carl Lewis, to win a gold medal in four consecutive games.
The native of New York is the only athlete to set four consecutive Olympic records.
"Al Oerter is one of the greatest track and field athletes, and one of the greatest Olympic athletes, of all time," USA Track and Field chief executive Craig A Masback said.
"What made him even more special was his excellence off the track, in pursuits ranging from community outreach to art”.
Oerter is considered one of the greatest American track and field athletes of all-time and is one of only two Olympic athletes, along with Carl Lewis, to win a gold medal in four consecutive games.
The native of New York is the only athlete to set four consecutive Olympic records.
"Al Oerter is one of the greatest track and field athletes, and one of the greatest Olympic athletes, of all time," USA Track and Field chief executive Craig A Masback said.
"What made him even more special was his excellence off the track, in pursuits ranging from community outreach to art”.