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. It was his long term commitment to excellence that was his greatest joy in competition. 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. What is the world’s oldest annual marathon? 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 man to win three medals in the event, all of them gold (through the 2016 Olympics, two other men have won three medals but neither of them won three gold medals). Al Oerter. He was the first athlete to win a gold medal in the same individual event in four consecutive Olympics. 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). With the exception of long jumper and fellow countryman Carl Lewis, he is the only track and field Olympian** who has won four straight Olympic gold medals in one single event. 2007) breaks the Olympic record with a throw of 191 feet 8 1/4 inches in the qualifying round of the discus, during the … Go for the gold in this track and field quiz. 10. Oerter set and broke many Olympic records. Signed 1953 Barbarians Rugby Football Club Autograph Book Page Northampton RFC. 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? 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. 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. 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. 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. Oerter never saw the discus land. National Sports Centre in south London. Al Oerter's first trip abroad was an adventure to be remembered. Won the discus throw event in four consecutive Olympics: 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968. During his career he set new world records four times (1962–64). He went on to win the gold medal. Olympics Discus Gold Medalist Al Oerter died October 1 at age 71. 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. 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. 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. Thru each of 4 consecutive Olympic Games, discus thrower Al Oerter overcomes extreme obstacles to garner the gold medal. Al Oerter. 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. Oerter continued competing; for him the intervening years were primarily warm-ups for the Olympics. Updates? His Olympic accomplishments are legend enough, but the man, Al Oerter, is remembered by family, friends, and fans as a man of integrity, humility, and kindness. It was a clear, windless day with … Ludvik Danek. He won gold medals in four successive Olympics and set a record in the discus event each time. 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 … Oerter was the first athlete to win a gold medal in the same individual event in four consecutive Olympics, a feat only matched by Carl Lewis in the long jump. 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. 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 … He started his Olympic career at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. Oerter became the first athlete to win all gold medals in four consecutive Olympic competitions. Al Oerter's first trip abroad was an adventure to be remembered. 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. Mindful of his injury, he knew he had limited chances to throw in the final. His work ethic to be at his best carried him on to Olympic victories. 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. Al Oerter: Athletics. After that Oerter won in Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964 and Mexico City 1968, setting an Olympic record on all four occasions. Official Olympic coverage of Al OERTER. Fortune Gordien. 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. Al OERTER - U.S.A. - Four times Olympic Champion. Olympic Athlete for United States of America. 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. 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). Alfred Oerter, Jr. (September 19, 1936 – October 1, 2007) was considered to be one of the greatest figures in Olympic track and field history. He attended the University of Kansas on a track scholarship (1954–58) and won six national Amateur Athletic Union titles. 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. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. 21. He was the first to throw the discus more than 200 feet with his first world record of Alfred Adolf OERTER, Alfred OERTER, Alfred OERTER JR., Al OERTER. He resumed training in 1976, however. Oerter and Carl Lewis are the only track and field stars to capture the same event in four consecutive Olympics. Al Oerter (born 1936) is the only athlete ever to win a gold medal in the same event at four consecutive Olympic Games. He was 71. 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.) 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. 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. 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). He finished 5th at the TAC Championships in 1979 and 6th in 1980. 1. "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. Florence Griffith-Joyner, USA Born 19 September 1936. Multi Signed Sheffield Wednesday FC X7 1950s Football Autograph Team Group. 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. 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. Oerter was in the first class to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983. Oerter, however, is the only one to set an Olympic record in each of his victories. (ATR) An Olympic legend dies...the defending champion repeats as world champion in road cycling and a marathon record is set in Berlin. 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. During his career he set new world records four times (1962–64). By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. One of the great figures in Olympic track and field history, Al Oerter was the first athlete to win gold medals in four consecutive Olympic competitions. Al Oerter, USA. Al Oerter barely made the Olympic Teams and was never favored to win the Olympic Games. Omissions? 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. 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. He also broke the world Record four times. Oerter continued competing; for him the intervening years were primarily warm-ups for the Olympics. The United States' boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, decreed by President Jimmy Carter, left a hole in the history of sports -- but why? Oerter continued throwing and eventually earned a scholarship to the University of Kansas in 1954 where he became a member of Delta Tau Deltafraternity. The Incredible Thrower. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Oerter and Carl Lewis are the only track and field stars to capture the same event in four consecutive Olympics. Oerter was born Aug. 18, 1936 in Astoria and grew up in New Hyde Park, Long Island, where he … 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. Having repeated as Olympic champion at the 1960 Games in Rome, Oerter faced his toughest challenge in his attempt to win his third Olympic title, in Tokyo in 1964. Al Oerter is an athlete who competes internationally for the United States. USA's Al Oerter haves the discus for an Olympic record and an Olympic gold medal 10/15, with a throw of 212 feet, 6-1/2 inches. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. His record of three successive Olympic golds in two events lasted 108 years, until Michael Phelps surpassed it in 2016. Corrections? On Saturday, June 30th Al entered the LA Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 Olympic Games. The inside track on world sport, bringing you the latest news and interviews from the world of the Olympic, Commonwealth and Paralympic Games. AOF honors and celebrates the character, principles and ideals of the 4-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Al Oerter. Descubre más del Olympic Channel, incluyendo resúmenes en video, repeticiones, noticias y datos sobre el atleta olímpico Alfred OERTER. Athletics history is filled with great athletes, and truly one of the best was quadruple Olympic Discus champion Alfred Oerter (USA). Read the latest stories from the Olympic Movement across the globe. The Olympics transformed Oerter into an athlete of international stature. Al never competed against others---it was a test of his own capabilities at that moment in time. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Oerter began his Olympic career at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. 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. He won gold in the discus in 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968. 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. 1936-American discus thrower. P&P: + £2.99 P&P . Oerter began his discus career at the age of 15 at his high school in Queens, NY. Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display He won gold in the discus in 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968. Down through the years the United States had always fielded a strong discus team and that year Oerter's colleagues in th… Four Golds. Athletics at Melbourne / Stockholm 1956, Mexico 1968, Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964 Olympics. Al Oerter (born 1936) is the only athlete ever to win a gold medal in the same event at four consecutive Olympic Games. Stories and articles remembering the legendary life of Olympic discus thrower Al Oerter. He was a world record holder in Masters track-and-field competition in the 1980s. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Oerter set and broke many Olympic … – Al Oerter. Al Oerter, American discus thrower, who won four consecutive Olympic gold medals (1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968), setting an Olympic record each time. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. Oerter became the first athlete to win all gold medals in … £9.99. 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. 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). Jay Silvester. 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. In addition, there was the Pan-American championship and the five U.S. records that he held. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. He thanked Babka and … His record of winning three golds in one event, lasted 60 years until Al Oerter broke it in 1968. Atleta estadounidense. P&P: + £2.99 P&P . "Rink" Babka. Oerter heeded Babka's suggestion, adjusted his windup and threw the discus 194-2 for another Olympic record and personal best. An Olympic legend, American discus thrower Al Oerter was the first track and field athlete to win four successive Olympic titles, a feat since equalled only by Carl Lewis in the long jump. Art of the Olympians (AOTO) is an Al Oerter Foundation (AOF) program run by Olympian and Paralympian artists. Olympics Discus Gold Medalist Al Oerter died October 1 at age 71. Between 1956 and 1968, they were supposed to win discus gold medals in the Olympics. During his career he set new world records four times (1962–64). Oerter, however, is the only one to set an Olympic record in each of his victories. £23.99. Oerter was born Aug. 18, 1936 in Astoria and grew up in New Hyde Park, Long Island, where he … He won gold medals in four successive Olympics and set a record in the discus event each time. Oerter showed up to try out for the 1984 Olympics as a 47-year-old, but he tore a calf muscle after making the finals. 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). Oerter began his Olympic career at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. Al Oerter American athlete Alfred Adolf Oerter Jr. (1936 ? 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, 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. 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. Al Oerter led the qualifying round with a new Olympic record of 60.54 metres. Alfred Adolf Al Oerter, Jr, (Astoria, Nueva York, 19 de septiembre de 1936). In 1996 Oerter was further honored for his Olympic feats as the final torch bearer in Atlanta. Oerter won gold medals in 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1968. 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. 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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