Ralph Boston, the 1960 Olympic long jump champion who broke the world record several times, has died at the age of 83, USA Track and Field reported.
Boston broke Jesse Owens’ remarkable reign as world record holder when he jumped 8.21 m in Walnut, California in 1960, dethroning a goal by Owens (the black American who “humiliated” Hitler at the Berlin Games at the age of 25) in 1936).
Three weeks later, at the Rome Olympics, Boston, then aged 21, won gold with a jump of 8.12 m, just one centimeter more than his teammate, Bo Roberson, also breaking Owens’ Olympic record, dating back to the 1936 Berlin Games. .
Boston also won a silver medal, behind Britain’s Lynn Davies, at the 1964 Tokyo Games, before taking bronze at the 1968 Games in Mexico, marked by Bob Beamon’s remarkable jump, which set a stratospheric world record, in the height: 8.90 meters.
The US Track and Field Federation said Boston passed away on Sunday after suffering a stroke. “Our sport lost a legend with the passing of Ralph Boston. Boston, the greatest jumper of his era, held the world record six times and was inducted into the inaugural National Track and Field Hall of Fame,” the federation said in a statement. “His legacy and contributions will live on for generations to come.”
Four-time Olympic long jump champion Carl Lewis tweeted, “I am devastated by the passing of Ralph Boston. I idolized him as a kid and he had a huge impact on my life.”
“His voice and support will be missed. He changed the sport as an athlete, advocate and mentor. Jumpers remember his name!!! Rest with the greats.”
Source: DN
