Died: Herb Douglas, 101
On April 22, in Pittsburgh. At the time of his death he was the oldest U.S. Olympic medalist and the oldest Olympic track & field medalist. At Pitt, Douglas won the ’45 AAU long jump title and the ’47 indoor crown, and also was runner-up in the ’46 NCAA. After his 2nd in the ’48 OT, he won bronze at the London Olympics. World Ranked 3 times, with a high of No. 4 in ’49.
Died: Forddy Kennedy, 87
On April 20, in Bad Axe, Michigan. The Scottish native won the ’58 NCAA cross country title for Michigan State. Earlier that year, he had placed 6th in the NCAA 2M. Was 5th in the ’57 XC.
Died: Irina Kostyuchenkova, 62
On March 03; strangled by her son. The 4th-placer in the ’88 Olympics for the Soviet Union, after the breakup she competed for Ukraine in ’92. Twice World Ranked, high of No. 5 in ’88.
Died: Vera Krepkina, 90
On April 25, in Kyyiv, Ukraine. The 3-time Soviet Olympian in the 100 & 4×1 (’52, ’56, ’60) added the long jump in Rome and her PR 20-10¾ (6.37) gave her surprise gold. She was a 3-time World Ranker in both the 100 (best of No. 3 in ’57) and LJ (No. 4 in ’59 & ’60). Her 11.3 in ’58 equaled the WR and she also got WR honors in the 4×1 (twice) and 4×2.
Died: Lázár Lovász, 80
On April 17, in Pécs, Hungary. The ’68 Olympic bronze medalist in the hammer (with his lifetime best), he was No. 5 in the world that year, his only appearance in the World Rankings.
Died: John Uelses, 85
On December 15, 2022, of Alzheimer’s. A German war refugee who came to America as a child, in February of ’62 he became the first man to vault over 16-feet (4.88), clearing 16-¼ (4.88) at the Millrose Games. He won the ’64 NCAA title for La Salle, and the next year placed 4th. He World Ranked 3 times, with a high of No. 3 in ’61. ◻︎