Although his original goal was to win five gold medals, Oerter retired from Olympic competition after the 1968 Games with four because of the sacrifices and pressures of being an Olympic champion. He was a world record holder in Masters track-and-field competition in the 1980s. Won the discus throw event in four consecutive Olympics: 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968. In The Olympics: 80 Years of People, Events and Records, edited by Lord Killanin and John Rodda, it was acknowledged that Oerter has been "often cited as the Supreme Olympic athletics competitor…" (Here the term "athletics" refers to track and field events.) He started his Olympic career at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. In 1980 the 44-year-old Oerter finished fourth in the Olympic trials, but the United States boycotted the summer Olympics that year (held in Moscow), so it was all a moot point. He was the first to throw the discus more than 200 feet with his first world record of 61.10 metres (200 feet 5 inches). Oerter continued to compete until the mid-1980s, long after his legacy as one of the great discus throwers of all time was secured, courtesy of his four Olympic gold medals and his four world records. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Who was the first athlete to run the mile in less than 4 minutes? Our unique platform shows the connection between sport, art and the Olympics and celebrates the Olympic and Paralympic athlete, while promoting Olympic ideals and values. Oerter set and broke many Olympic … Oerter won … Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Stories and articles remembering the legendary life of Olympic discus thrower Al Oerter. – Al Oerter. He was lying on the ground, doubled up in pain. The inside track on world sport, bringing you the latest news and interviews from the world of the Olympic, Commonwealth and Paralympic Games. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Al Oerter, a discus thrower who became the first modern track and field athlete to win four consecutive Olympic titles in one event and who competed into his 60s, died today in … As of 2020, he holds the record for the Olympic medals with a 100% record - 8 individual golds. Al Oerter: Athletics Alfred Oerter, Jr. (September 19, 1936 – October 1, 2007) was considered to be one of the greatest figures in Olympic track and field history. The United States' boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, decreed by President Jimmy Carter, left a hole in the history of sports -- but why? Signed 4 Time Olympic Champion Al Oerter USA Discus Champion Autograph Gold. It was a clear, windless day with … Oerter continued competing; for him the intervening years were primarily warm-ups for the Olympics. Born in 1936 in Astoria, Queens, New York City,[1] Al Oerter grew up in New Hyde Park and attended Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park. Al Oerter is an athlete who competes internationally for the United States. Yet Al Oerter is the only track and field athlete, along with Carl Lewis, who has achieved a gold medal in four different Olympic Games. His third victory in 1964 was remarkable for the fact that he overcame the handicap of neck and rib injuries, but still managed to set a career best. Oerter took the gold medal in the discus in 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1968, setting a new Olympic record on each occasion, although he was never the favourite to win the event. While he narrowly failed to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team in 1980, which ultimately did not compete (there being a U.S. boycott), he made the longest throw of his career and the world’s longest that year, 69.46 metres (227 feet 11 inches). Elite American athletes didn't get to compete with the best from the rest of the world, many of wore the colors of the Soviet Union and the initialism CCCP. Alfred Oerter Jr. (1936-2007) was the quintessence of Olympic clutch, winning four consecutive discus throw golds - Melbourne 1956, Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964 and Mexico City 1968. Ganó cuatro medallas de oro en la prueba de lanzamiento de disco en los Juegos Olímpicos de Melbourne 1956, Roma 1960, Tokio 1964 y México 1968.… A large man at 6' 4" (193 cm) and 280 pounds (127 kg), Oerter was a natural thrower… Though active at a world-class level into his 40s, he fell short again in bids for the U.S. Olympic team in 1984 and 1988. Oerter and Carl Lewis are the only track and field stars to capture the same event in four consecutive Olympics. BBC Olympics presenter Steve Rider highlights some of the great Olympians from the pages of history. Four Golds. Recognized by many as one of the world’s greatest Olympians, discus thrower Al Oerter won a gold medal in four consecutive Olympics from 1956 to 1968, returning to … His comeback was derailed by the 1980 Olympic boycott by the United States, but Oerter did post the longest throw in the world in 1980. Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display, 16th October 1964: Alfred A Oerter, American winner of the Gold Medal in the Tokyo Olympics 1964 for Discus throwing. Oerter became the first athlete to win all gold medals in … Alfred Adolph Oerter, Jr. was born in Astoria, New York, on August 19, 1936. He attended the University of Kansas on a track scholarship (1954–58) and won six national Amateur Athletic Union titles. Atleta estadounidense. Al Oerter – Back to Olympus, is a project dedicated to the life and achievements of Al Oerter, winner of four consecutive Discus gold medals at the 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1968 Olympics, and considered one of the greatest Olympians ever. THE AL OERTER FOUNDATION is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to educate the youth of the world about the values of respect, hard work and fair-play with a vision to encourage self-confidence and a passion for excellence in all avenues of life. £23.99. Legendary discus thrower, Al Oerter was the first person in Olympic history to win four gold medals in four different Olympic Games (1956-60-64-68) and the only athlete to set Olympic records each time. Mindful of his injury, he knew he had limited chances to throw in the final. P&P: + £2.99 P&P . Al OERTER - U.S.A. - Four times Olympic Champion. Down through the years the United States had always fielded a strong discus team and that year Oerter's colleagues in th… He won gold in the discus in 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968. Al Oerter, 1936-2007 As I was growing up, nothing in our household was bigger, when it came to sports, than the Olympics - especially the Summer Olympics. Florence Griffith-Joyner, USA Born 19 September 1936. Al Oerter is pictured at the 1979 British AAAs Championship at the Crystal Palace. Between 1956 and 1968, they were supposed to win discus gold medals in the Olympics. Oerter retired after the Olympic Games of 1968 but returned to full-time competition in 1977 with the goal of making the 1980 Olympic Games and winning a fifth gold medal. Al Oerter: Athletics. He finished 5th at the TAC Championships in 1979 and 6th in 1980. "Rink" Babka. 1936-American discus thrower. Athletics history is filled with great athletes, and truly one of the best was quadruple Olympic Discus champion Alfred Oerter (USA). Al Oerter is a four-time Olympic champion in the discus (1956, Melbourne; 1960, Rome; 1964, Tokyo; 1968, Mexico City) and a 1981 NYAC Hall of Fame inductee. For many, the enduring image of Oerter will be his Olympic record-setting throw in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, in which he wore a neck brace and could barely walk to the ring because of torn rib cartilage and internal bleeding. One of my very first memories watching sports was the 1968 Summer Olympics, held in Mexico City. Oerter was in the first class to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983. Legendary discus thrower, Al Oerter was the first person in Olympic history to win four gold medals in four different Olympic Games (1956-60-64-68) and the only athlete to set Olympic records each time. His best throw in setting a world record was 62.94 metres (206 feet 6 inches) in 1964; his best Olympic throw was 64.78 metres (212 feet 6 inches) in 1968. During his career he set new world records four times (1962–64). He started his Olympic career at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. However he did win his sixth U.S. National championship in 1966 (besides the aforementioned three national championships, Oereter was also national champion in 1962, 1964). Oerter was born Aug. 18, 1936 in Astoria and grew up in New Hyde Park, Long Island, where he … For many, the enduring image of Oerter will be his Olympic record-setting throw in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, in which he wore a neck brace and could barely walk to the ring because of torn rib cartilage and internal bleeding. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Olympics Discus Gold Medalist Al Oerter died October 1 at age 71. After that Oerter won in Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964 and Mexico City 1968, setting an Olympic record on all four occasions. What is the world’s oldest annual marathon? During his career he set new world records four times (1962–64). National Sports Centre in south London. Art of the Olympians (AOTO) is an Al Oerter Foundation (AOF) program run by Olympian and Paralympian artists. Pg Tips Olympics Sporty Wrestling Running Keep Running. He was not considered the favorite but he felt a rush during the competition and he unleashed a throw of 184 feet 22 inches (56.64 m)—which, at the time, was a career best. His work ethic to be at his best carried him on to Olympic victories. Omissions? "His legacy is one of an athlete who embodied all of the positive attributes associated with being an Olympian," said Peter Ueberroth, chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Al Oerter barely made the Olympic Teams and was never favored to win the Olympic Games. Olympic Gold Medalist - Discus 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968 Al Oerter is the first athlete to win the same Olympic event four times in a row and the only one to set Olympic records each time. Al Oerter, in full Alfred Oerter, Jr., (born Sept. 19, 1936, Astoria, Queens, N.Y., U.S.—died Oct. 1, 2007, Fort Myers, Fla.), American discus thrower, who won four consecutive Olympic gold medals (1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968), setting an Olympic record each time. He began his track and field career at the age of 15 when a discus landed at his feet and he threw it back past the crowd of throwers. Al Oerter. Multi Signed Sheffield Wednesday FC X7 1950s Football Autograph Team Group. He was 71. Al Oerter was the first track and field athlete to win a gold medal in the same individual event in four consecutive Olympics, a feat which has subsequently been equaled by Carl Lewis and Ray Ewry. Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display The Incredible Thrower. He also won the Pan-American title in 1959 and set four world records, the first of which in 1962 gave him the distinction of being the first man to record a legal throw of over 200 feet (60.96 metres). Oerter competed, using painkillers and ice-packs, and broke his own Olympic record in the qualifying round. Al Oerter's first trip abroad was an adventure to be remembered. Al Oerter, American discus thrower, who won four consecutive Olympic gold medals (1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968), setting an Olympic record each time. Alfred Adolf Al Oerter, Jr, (Astoria, Nueva York, 19 de septiembre de 1936). Go for the gold in this track and field quiz. In addition, there was the Pan-American championship and the five U.S. records that he held. During his career he set new world records four times (1962–64). Oerter began his Olympic career at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. Oerter heeded Babka's suggestion, adjusted his windup and threw the discus 194-2 for another Olympic record and personal best. Athletics at Melbourne / Stockholm 1956, Mexico 1968, Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964 Olympics. The event was won by Al Oerter of the United States, the nation's fourth consecutive and 11th overall victory in the men's discus throw. Al Oerter (born 1936) is the only athlete ever to win a gold medal in the same event at four consecutive Olympic Games. Oerter continued competing; for him the intervening years were primarily warm-ups for the Olympics. Thru each of 4 consecutive Olympic Games, discus thrower Al Oerter overcomes extreme obstacles to garner the gold medal. After taking up weight lifting in his teens to fill out his slender build, Oerter was a football player and sprinter in high school. Never before out of the United States, the 20-year-old discus thrower, was in the American squad that travelled out to Melbourne for the 1956 Olympics. Six days before the Opening Ceremony, he slipped and fell in training, tearing the cartilage in his ribs and suffering internal bleeding. Al Oerter, in full Alfred Oerter, Jr., (born Sept. 19, 1936, Astoria, Queens, N.Y., U.S.—died Oct. 1, 2007, Fort Myers, Fla.), American discus thrower, who won four consecutive Olympic gold medals (1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968), setting an Olympic record each time. Fortune Gordien. Al Oerter's first trip abroad was an adventure to be remembered. On Saturday, June 30th Al entered the LA Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 Olympic Games. Alfred Adolf OERTER, Alfred OERTER, Alfred OERTER JR., Al OERTER. Ludvik Danek, throwing later, beat the old record but not Oerter's new record.In the final, Danek (three times), Dave Weill (once), and Jay Silvester (once) all topped the old record but could not beat the new one. He resumed training in 1976, however. Besides, he did it in every occasion coming to the discus throw final as the underdog, to eventually beat the then world record holder, setting a new Olympic best in the process. He discovered his discus ability when he idly picked up the discus and threw it farther than anyone else on the track team could. A l Oerter was an American discus thrower that won the Olympics four-times in a row from 1956 through 1968. Oerter continued throwing and eventually earned a scholarship to the University of Kansas in 1954 where he became a member of Delta Tau Deltafraternity. Oerter began his discus career at the age of 15 at his high school in Queens, NY. His last victories are the men's discus throw in the Olympic Games 1968 and the men's discus throw in the Olympic Games 1964. (ATR) An Olympic legend dies...the defending champion repeats as world champion in road cycling and a marathon record is set in Berlin. Descubre más del Olympic Channel, incluyendo resúmenes en video, repeticiones, noticias y datos sobre el atleta olímpico Alfred OERTER. Olympic Athlete for United States of America. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Al-Oerter, ESPN - SportsCentury - Three-peating wasn't enough for Oerter, Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame - Biography of Al Oerter, Al Oerter - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images), American athlete Alfred Adolf Oerter Jr. (1936 ? Al Oerter (born 1936) is the only athlete ever to win a gold medal in the same event at four consecutive Olympic Games. The Olympics transformed Oerter into an athlete of international stature. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Ludvik Danek. His record of three successive Olympic golds in two events lasted 108 years, until Michael Phelps surpassed it in 2016. Oerter, however, is the only one to set an Olympic record in each of his victories. The new Olympic Channel brings you news, highlights, exclusive behind the scenes, live events and original programming, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Oerter, however, is the only one to set an Olympic record in each of his victories. Carter, a touchy-feely president by any standard, made a hard decision based on Cold War politics. Summer Olympics, USA Al Oerter in action during discus competition, Rome, Italy 8/25/1960--9/11/1960 Consigue fotografías de noticias de alta resolución y gran calidad en Getty Images Corrections? In 1996 Oerter was further honored for his Olympic feats as the final torch bearer in Atlanta. Oerter and Carl Lewis are the only track and field stars to capture the same event in four consecutive Olympics. Al Oerter, a discus thrower who became the first modern track and field athlete to win four consecutive Olympic titles in one event and who competed into his 60s, died today in Fort Myers, Fla. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. Al Oerter, who died yesterday at 71, won gold medals in four successive Olympics and set a record in his event, the discus, each time. He won gold medals in four successive Olympics and set a record in the discus event each time. 10. FORT MYERS, Fla. – Al Oerter, the discus great who won gold medals in four straight Olympics to become one of track and fields biggest stars in the 1950s and '60s, died Monday. Saved by Pathetic Alien. However, after that he decided not to go for a fifth gold in the Munich 1972 Olympics. Updates? He won gold in the discus in 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968. Oerter won gold medals in 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1968. Oerter became the first athlete to win all gold medals in four consecutive Olympic competitions. Al Oerter. Official Olympic coverage of Al OERTER. Oerter was born in 1936 in Astoria, Queens, New York City and grew up in New Hyde Park; he attended Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park. 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