Robert Mathias
(IOC)
Updated: 2007-07-26 20:53
London, August 1948, Games of the XIV Olympiad. Men's athletics, decathlon: eventual winner Robert MATHIAS of the United States throwing the discus. Credit: Getty Images
Other names: MATHIAS, Robert Bruce
Born: 17 November 1930
Deceased: 2 September 2006
Birthplace: Tulare (United States)
Nationality: United States
Sport: Athletics
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
London 1948
Helsinki 1952
AWARDS
Olympic medals:
Gold: 2
Decathlon Victor At Age 17
Bob Mathias was only 17 years old when his high school track coach suggested that he take up the decathlon. Less than three months later, he qualified for the U.S. Olympic team. He was so inexperienced that when he competed at the 1948 Olympics, he fouled in the shot put because he did not know that it was forbidden to leave the throwing circle from the front. The final events began so late that the field had to be illuminated by automobile headlights. A few minutes after Mathias became the youngest winner in men's athletics history, he was asked how he intended to celebrate his victory. Mathias replied, "I'll start shaving, I guess." Four years later, at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Mathias broke his own world record and became the first repeat winner of the decathlon.
|
|
