Died: Ron Delany, 91
On March 11, in Dublin, Ireland. A 3-time NCAA 1500/mile champ for Villanova, he won the ’56 Olympic 1500 gold. He World Ranked 3 times and was the obvious No. 1 in ’56. won 4 consecutive Wanamaker Mile titles 1956–1959. He was unbeaten in 40 indoor meetings during that period, setting 3 indoor WRs in the process.
Died: Galina Dolya, 88
On April 29, 2021 (sic). The 4th-placer in the ’60 Olympic high jump for the Soviet Union was a 4-time World Ranker. Her highest rank came in ’60, at No. 2.
Died: Mary Rand, 86
On March 27, in California. At the ’64 Olympics, the British long jumper spanned a WR 22-2¼ (6.76) to win gold. She also captured silver in the pentathlon and bronze on the 4×1. A 9-time World Ranker in the long jump, she was No. 1 in ’59, ’60, ’63 & ’64. In the pentathlon, she Ranked 6 times, 4 of them No. 2s. At one point she was married to decathlon great Bill Toomey.
Died: Ari Salin, 79
On March 04. The Finnish 400 hurdler placed 6th in the ’71 European Championships. He World Ranked No. 4 in ’70. ◻︎
