Died: Renate Boy, 82
On January 05, in Börgerende-Rethwisch, Germany. A 3-time shot Olympian for East Germany, she won silver in ’64 and was 5th in ’68 and 6th in ’60. She set an indoor WR in ’64. A 9-time World Ranker, she was No. 1 in ’61.
Died: Greg Foster, 64
On February 18; of complications from amyloidosis. The UCLA 110 hurdler’s first big win came in the ‘78 NCAA when he defeated arch-rival Renaldo Nehemiah in an American Record 13.22. He also won the ’80 collegiate title. A 3-time world champion, he won silver in the ’84 Olympics and in ’91 won the World Indoor. Overall, he World Ranked 15 times, with a record-equaling 5 No. 1s in ’82, ’83, ’87 & ’91.
Died: Tim Lobinger, 50
On February 16, in Munich, Germany; of cancer. The first German 6-meter vaulter, he won gold at the ’03 World Indoor. An 11-time World Ranker, he was No. 2 in ’02, ’03 & ’05. A 4-time Olympian 1996–08, he had a high of 7th in Atlanta.
Died: Kène Ndoye, 44
On February 13, in Dakar, Senegal; after a long illness. A triple jump Olympian in ’00 & ’04, she won bronze in the ’03 World Indoor. A 3-time World Ranker, her high was No. 7 in ’03.
Died: Bob Richards, 97
On February 26, in Waco, Texas. At Illinois, he was NCAA runner-up in the vault in ’46. After winning Olympic bronze in ’48, he struck gold in both ’52 & ’56. “The Vaulting Vicar” remains the only 2-time winner in Games history. In all, the USATF Hall Of Famer won 20 AAU titles, including 3 in the decathlon. The second man ever to vault 15ft (4.57), he World Ranked 11 times, with a record 8 straight No. 1s 1948–’56. In the decathlon, he made the ’56 Olympic team but was injured and failed to finish. He rated 6 times in the 10-eventer, with No. 1s in ’51 & ’54. His image appeared on Wheaties boxes from 1958 to 1970. He lost his family record of 15-6 (4.72) when son Bob Jr. cleared 17-6 (5.33) in ’73. ◻︎