Died: Kirk Baptiste, 59
On March 24; in Lincoln, Nebraska. The silver medalist in the 200 at the ’84 Olympics, he also won 200 gold at the inaugural World Indoor in ’87. At Houston, he captured the NCAA 200 in ’84 & ’85. World Ranked twice at 100 (No. 3 in ’84). At 200 he Ranked No. 1 in ’85, and was No. 2 in ’84 & ’86. Set unofficial WR of 31.70 in the 300 in ’84.
Died: Robbie Brightwell, 82
On March 06; of cancer. The 4th-placer in the ’64 Olympic 400, he added a silver on Britain’s 4×4. In Rome he had run in the 400 and on both relays. World Ranked 4 times, with a No. 2 in ’62. He later married Ann Packer, who had won 800 gold and 400 silver in Tokyo.
Died: Charlie Greene, 76
On March 14. At Nebraska, Greene won 3 NCAA 60 and 100 titles (1965–67); He was the AAU 100 champion in ’66 and ’68, when he tied the WR twice. A hamstring injury held him to 6th in the ’64 Trials but in ’68 he won Olympic bronze in the 100 and led off the gold-winning 4 x 100 team at the Mexico City Olympics, helping set a WR. He was a 6-time World Ranker at 100, No. 1 in ’66.
Died: Pentti Karvonen, 90
On March 12; in Porvoo, Finland. In 1955 he broke the steeplechase World Record twice, with clockings of 8:47.8 and 8:45.4. A 2-time World Ranker, he was No. 3 in ’54.
Died: Daniel Omwanza, 73
On February 16; in Nairobi, Kenya; of a stroke. Known as David Omwansa when he ran for USC, he was 3rd in the ’79 NCAA 800. He World Ranked No. 6 in ’75.
Died: Jack Parker, 94
On February 20. A ’52 & ’56 Olympian for Britain in the 110H, he World Ranked No. 8 in ’55.
Died: John Parlett, 96
On March 08. World Ranked twice in the 800, with a No. 3 in ’50, the year he won the European gold. In ’51, he ran anchor on the British team that set a WR in the 4 x 880. Finished 8th in the ’48 Olympic final.
Died: George Sydnor, 86
On March 18; in Villanova, Pennsylvania; of cancer. The Villanova sprinter twice tied the 60y WR of 6.1 in ’56.