Dallas Long, former world shot put record-holder, dies aged 84

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The American giant also secured respective Olympic gold and bronze medals at the Tokyo 1964 and Rome 1960 Games

Dallas Long, the former world shot put world record-holder, has died at the age of 84.

The American, who was six foot and four inches, set or equalled the world record on an incredible seven occasions, in what was a golden era for the US in the event.

Long, who grew up in Arkansas and was coached by Vern Wolfe – a trainer that produced six Olympic champions – throughout his career, first found fame at the 1959 Santa Barbara Easter Relays.

That’s where Long equalled Parry O’Brien’s – a double Olympic gold medallist – world record of 19.25m.

O’Brien bettered that mark later in the year with 19.30m, before Long went even further the following season with 19.38m.

Between 1960 and 1962, Long won three successive NCAA titles and also claimed an Olympic bronze medal in Rome, with Bill Nieder taking the gold medal.

Before the Olympics, Nieder and Long kept breaking each other’s world records but just a few years later the latter would dominate the sport.

Not only did Long become Olympic champion at the Tokyo 1964 Games but between 1962 and 1964 he set four world records, furthering the distance in the shot put from 20.08m to 20.68m.

Following his retirement from athletics, Long became a doctor and dentist. He was inducted into the US National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1996.

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The post Dallas Long, former world shot put record-holder, dies aged 84 appeared first on AW.

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