Died: Norma Crocker, 84
In Brisbane, on August 21. A member of Australia’s gold medal-winning 4×1 at the ’56 Olympics, she shared in the two WRs the foursome set in Melbourne.
Died: Dulce García, 54
In Santiago, Chile, on September 9; of a cardiorespiratory attack. The Cuban javelin thrower World Ranked 4 times, with a high of No. 5 in ’90.
Died: Tom O’Hara, 77
In Chicago, on August 27. The ’62 NCAA XC champion for Loyola/Chicago, he broke the World Indoor record for the mile twice in ’64. A 2-time World Ranker in the 1500, he was No. 4 in ’63. Tabbed as a likely Olympic medalist at Tokyo in ’64, he fell ill several days before and ended up 7th in his semi.
Died: Robert Ouko, 70
On August 18, in Ngong, Kenya; of diabetes. Won 4×4 gold in the ’72 Olympics. He also ran on the Kenyan 4×8 squad that set a World Record a year earlier. A 3-time 800 World Ranker, he was No. 6 in ’72 after taking 5th in Munich. Ran collegiately for North Carolina Central, which he anchored to a sprint medley WR at the ’72 Penn Relays.
Died: Sylvia Ruegger, 58
On August 23 in Toronto; from cancer. One of the pioneers of women’s distance running, the Canadian placed 8th in the first Olympic marathon. A 2-time World Ranker, she was No. 9 in ’84. ◻︎
