2009 Dedication to Al Oerter

EXCELLENCE THROUGH EXPERIENCE

In Dedication Al Oerter
Photos courtesy of Cathy Oerter and Jon Hendershott, Track & Field News.

Al Oerter - autographed discus, from the On Track Collection.

We suffered the loss of a giant in athletics when we learned that, at the age of 71, discus icon Al Oerter had passed away. His great heart simply gave out, but his spirit continues to inspire us on so many levels.

Of course Al’s most celebrated achievement was that he was one of only two track and field athletes to win gold medals in the same event in four consecutive Olympic Games. He shared that distinction with Carl Lewis, however, even Lewis could not lay claim to the four Olympic records Al set while doing so. Al consistently called upon his New York grit to come out on top, often battling through adversity and against “the experts” expectations.

Fresh from his sophomore year at the University of Kansas, Al’s 1956 Olympic debut in Melbourne won him first place on his first throw—184' 11". In Rome, 1960, Al faced off his friend and favored fellow American discus thrower Rink Babka, coming from behind to win with a throw of 194' 2", setting both personal and Olympic records in the process. “I always called him ‘Lucky’,” says Rink.

Al Oerter won gold medals in four consecutive Olympic Games - 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968.

Days before he was to compete in the 1964 Tokyo Games, it looked like the great thrower’s appearance was not to be—he had painfully torn rib cartilage, causing doctors to advise him against throwing for at least six weeks. Rather than take their advice, Al answered the challenge with a straight jacket of athletic tape, and stepped into the ring once again. He broke the Olympic record with a 198' 8" throw in the preliminary round, then fought through the pain to win the final with yet another Olympic record of 200' 1".

In 1968, Al found himself an underdog once again. This time, it was his U.S. teammate and world record–holder Jay Sylvester standing between Al and his gold medal. The thin atmosphere of Mexico City provided a little bit of extra magic to the now legendary warrior, and he won his fourth and final Olympic title, throwing a personal best, 212' 6".