Died: Ulla Donath, 94
On April 12. The first East German with a ratified WR, she set the 400 best in ’53. Went on to World Rank 3 times in the 800, with a high of No. 2 in ’57. Won the Olympic bronze in ’60.
Honored: Al Franken
With a World Athletics Heritage Plaque. The award credited the California invitational meet director, who died in 2021 at 96, as “one of the most influential, innovative and prolific promoters in the history of the sport. Over more than half a century, he organized more than 100 world-class meetings, at which 95 World Records and hundreds of US records were set, with more than 120 Olympic gold medalists competing in his events.”
Died: Russ Hodge, 86
On May 6, in Johnson City, New York; of complications of congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease. The 9th-placer in the ’64 Olympic decathlon, he broke the WR in ’66. He placed 2nd in the AAU Championships in ’65, ’66, ’70 and ’71. A 5-time World Ranker, he was No. 2 in ’66. A late arriver on the college scene, in ’68 he placed 7th in the NCAA shot for UCLA.
Died: Klaus Lehnertz, 88
On May 26, in Kassel, Germany. The winner of the bronze medal in the vault in the ’64 Olympics, he made the World Rankings three times, with a best of No. 6 in ’64.
Died: Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, 75
On May 13, in Yaounde, Cameroon. The WA Council member had served since ’07. He was also president of the Confederation of African Athletics since ’03.
Died: Robyn Woodhouse, 82
On April 29, in Wollongong, Australia. High jumper won gold at the ’62 Commonwealth and placed 11th in the ’64 Olympics. She World Ranked 6 times; in ’62 and ’63, she was No. 2. ◻︎
