Died: Reino Hiltunen, 97
On August 21, in Vaasa, Finland. The No. 6-ranked triple jumper in ’51 he placed 9th in the next year’s Olympics.
Died: Barbara Lawton, 71
On September 03, in Carshalton, England. British high jumper (maiden name Inkpen) made the World Rankings 4 times, with a No. 4 in ’71. Uniquely she made the final in the ’68 Olympics (13th) with the straddle and in ’72 (4th) with the flop. She won Euro silver in ’71 and Commonwealth gold in ’74.
Died: Jacques Rogge, 79
On August 29; of unknown causes, although he had been suffering from Parkinson’s. The Belgian doctor was a 3-time Olympic sailer, then served as president of the IOC 2001–13.
Died: Todd Scully, 72
On September 06, near Big Island, Virginia; in a traffic accident. An 8-time U.S. champion in the walks, he was a ’76 Olympian. U.S.-Ranked 13 times in the 20K, with No. 1s in ’78 and ’81. Also rated once in the 50K, a No. 9 in ’72.
Died: Yuriy Syedikh, 66
On September 14, in Moscow, Russia; of a heart attack. The winner of hammer gold at the ’76 and ’80 Olympics, he missed ’84 due to the boycott but returned to silver in ’88 and won the WC title in ’91. The 4-time WR setter still holds the all-time best with his 284-7 (86.74) from ’86. He World Ranked an astounding 18 times, with 8 No. 1s (’76, ’78, ’80, ’82, ’84, ’86, ’91) and was our Athlete Of The Year for ’86.
Died: Jerry Thompson, 98
On August 26. A 3-time NCAA champion for Texas, he won the 2M in ’43 and ’47 as well as the 5000 in ’48. After a 2nd in the ’48 OT 5000, he ran in the heats at the London Olympics.
Died: Mel Watman, 83
On September 17, from spinal cancer. One of the sport’s legendary writers/analysts, Watman was the longtime editor of Britain’s respected Athletics Weekly and recently had been one of the forces behind the Athletics International newsletter. ◻︎