RIP Rafer.Olympic decathalon champion in 1960, he tackled Robert Kennedy's killer Sirhan Sirhan in 1968. Died today at 86
That summer games was remarkable. Wilma Rudolph was 20 and Cassius Clay was 18 ! And the Ethiopian running barefoot! I was 9 years old and totally engaged!The 1960 Olympic Decathlon between Rafer Johnson and C.K. Yang was the most competitive in the history of the Olympics. Going into the last event, the 1500 meters, Johnson had a small lead. But the 1500 was one of Yang’s best events.
If Johnson lost by more than 10 seconds, Yang would win the gold medal. Johnson hung onto Yang like grim death, ultimately losing the 1500 by 2 seconds, but winning the decathlon by 58 pts.
Kinda young to be engaged I was in hs.Rafer and Wilma were big deals. Cassius Clay was just becoming a sensation.That summer games was remarkable. Wilma Rudolph was 20 and Cassius Clay was 18 ! And the Ethiopian running barefoot! I was 9 years old and totally engaged!
We were members of a very progressive cult of Iron City drinkers who encouraged juvenalia in its most prepubescent flowering. And Steeler fans which was a downright difficult task in the early sixties. A tough life, but a rewarding one in the end. BTW, it was just a May to December romance which ended amicably.Kinda young to be engaged I was in hs.Rafer and Wilma were big deals. Cassius Clay was just becoming a sensation.
I recall being at Yankee Stadium for the Yankee's game when Bob Sheppard announced that American Rafer Johnson had won the Gold Medal. I only vaguely knew who Rafer was at that time, but I knew he was an American and the decathlon was a grueling event. Rafer's win got a huge ovation. RIP to a great athlete and competitor.The 1960 Olympic Decathlon between Rafer Johnson and C.K. Yang was the most competitive in the history of the Olympics. Going into the last event, the 1500 meters, Johnson had a small lead. But the 1500 was one of Yang’s best events.
If Johnson lost by more than 10 seconds, Yang would win the gold medal. Johnson hung onto Yang like grim death, ultimately losing the 1500 by 2 seconds, but winning the decathlon by 58 pts.
Speaking of the 1960 NY Yankees, I was a huge Yankee fan growing up and was big into baseball cards. For many years, whenever I would get a Bill Mazeroskl card, I would look to trade it. Maz was a great player, but after he broke my young heart in Game 7 of the 1960 WS, I couldn’t even look at him.I recall being at Yankee Stadium for the Yankee's game when Bob Sheppard announced that American Rafer Johnson had won the Gold Medal. I only vaguely knew who Rafer was at that time, but I knew he was an American and the decathlon was a grueling event. Rafer's win got a huge ovation. RIP to a great athlete and competitor.
I bet that is true, but he sure had a lot of fans in Pittsburgh. That world series was a grueling affair, and Maz put the tin hat on it!Speaking of the 1960 NY Yankees, I was a huge Yankee fan growing up and was big into baseball cards. For many years, whenever I would get a Bill Mazeroskl card, I would look to trade it. Maz was a great player, but after he broke my young heart in Game 7 of the 1960 WS, I couldn’t even look at him.
I did not realize his win was so heroic. Thanks for the knowledge.If Johnson lost by more than 10 seconds, Yang would win the gold medal. Johnson hung onto Yang like grim death, ultimately losing the 1500 by 2 seconds, but winning the decathlon by 58 pts.
Some additional information. While Yang was from Taiwan, Johnson and Yang both attended UCLA, trained together under the same coach and were the best of friends. At the end of the 1500 meter race, Johnson, who was exhausted, partly hugged and partly collapsed on Yang. It is one of the more memorable scenes in Olympic history.I did not realize his win was so heroic. Thanks for the knowledge.