Reinstated: The IAAF’s Caster Semenya Ban
On July 29 the Swiss Federal Tribunal revoked its super-provisional order that had allowed Caster Semenya to continue competing at the 800.
Died: Zenon Begier, 84
On July 27. Polish discus thrower placed 6th in the ’64 Olympics. World-Ranked 3 times, with a high of No. 3 in ’65.
Died: Cliff Branch, 71
On August 3, in Bullhead City, Arizona. An NCAA 100 & 200 scorer for Colorado, he moved on to the NFL, where he became an All-Pro wide receiver and eventually played on three Super Bowl champions.
Died: Calvin Cooley, 80
On July 3, in Merkel, Texas. Abilene Christian hurdler ran on the 4 x 220 team that set a World Record at the ’61 Texas Relays. He was twice Ranked No. 2 in the U.S. in the 220 hurdles.
Died: Egil Danielsen, 85
On July 29 in Bergen, Norway. The ’56 Olympic champion in the javelin, Danielsen set a World Record that day in Melbourne. World-Ranked 4 times, taking the top spot in ’56.
Died: Basil Heatley, 85
On August 3, in England; of heart problems. Silver medalist in the marathon at the ’68 Olympics, he had set a World Record of 2:13:55 earlier that year. He finished at No. 2 in the World Rankings. Won the International XC title in ’61.
Died: Jorma Kinnunen, 77
On July 25, in Äänekoski, Finland; after a long illness. A 3-time Olympic finalist, he won silver in the ’68 Games. He set a World Record the following year. A 10-time World Ranker, he twice reached No. 2, in ’65 & ’68.
Died: Hans Lagerqvist, 79
On July 22, in Spånga, Sweden; of brain cancer. A 2-time World Ranker in the vault, the Swede placed 7th in the ’72 Olympics. The year before he had placed 4th in the European Championships and Ranked No. 7.
Died: Roman Virastyuk, 51
On July 27, in Kyyiv, Ukraine; following heart surgery. Shot putter placed 6th in the ’96 Olympics and World-Ranked No. 8 in ’96 & ’97.
Died: Werner von Moltke, 83
On July 30, in Nieder-Olm, Germany. The ’66 European champion in the decathlon for West Germany, von Moltke was a 3-time World Ranker, reaching a high of No. 3 in ’62 & ’66.
Died: Christian Wägli, 84
On June 17, in Muri-Gümligen, Switzerland. Twice a World Ranker in the 800, he ranked No. 6 in ’60, the year he finished 5th in the Olympics. ◻︎
