Hired: Seiko Hashimoto, 56
As president of the Tokyo Organizing Committee, after Yoshiro Mori resigned in a firestorm of criticism after making sexist comments in public. As a speedskater and track cyclist Hashimoto has the second-most Olympic appearances of any Japanese athlete, with 4 Winter Games and 3 Summer to her name.
Died: Reindell Cole, 33
On February 01, in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Winner of the NCAA Indoor long jump in ’08 for Cal State Northridge, he placed 3rd in the NCAA Outdoor in ’10. He was twice U.S.-Ranked in the event, with a No. 7 in ’08.
Died: Margitta Gummel, 79
On January 26, in Wietmarschen, Netherlands. The East German putter won the Olympic gold with a WR in ’68 and silver in ’72. She set 4 WRs outdoors 1968–69, in addition to 5 indoor bests, all in ’71. She World Ranked 11 straight years 1962–72, with a No. 1 in ’68, and 4 No. 2s.
Died: John Haines, 88
On February 07; after a brief illness. The Penn sprinter won 4 straight AAU titles in the 60y,1953–56. He ranked No. 5 among Americans in the 100 in ’55, the year he placed 3rd in the NCAA. He was a Penn Relays official for 53 years.
Died: Helga Klein, 89
On January 27. German sprinter won Olympic silver as the third leg on the ’52 Olympic 4×1. The team got shared credit for the WR with the United States, winner of the race.
Died: Les Laing, 97
On February 07, in Clermont, Florida. The 200 specialist ran the second leg for the Jamaican 4×4 that won gold in the ’52 Helsinki Olympics with a WR 3:03.9. He made the World Rankings 5 times: twice at 100, in 1949 (No. 10) & ’53 (9), and 3 times at 200: 1948 (9), ’49 (10) & ’53 (9).
Died: Alan Lerwill, 72
On February 06, in Taunton, England. A 3-time World Ranker in the long jump, he was No. 8 in ’70 & ’72. An Olympian in ’68 & ’72, he won Commonwealth gold in ’74.
Died: Ludvík Lĭska, 91
In February. A close friend of Emil Zátopek, ’52 Olympian Lĭska ran on the Czech 4×8 that broke the World Record in ’53. □