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Lead Stories: Thursday, January 8, 2009

Olympic Medalist John Woodruff Passes Away

Posted November 1st, 2007 at 6:48 PM by Martha Jones

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics

According to The New York Times, National Track & Field Hall of Famer John Woodruff died Tuesday in Fountain Hills, Ariz. He was 92.

Best known for his amazing come-from-behind victory in the 800 meters at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany, Woodruff died of atrial fibrillation and chronic renal failure.

Of the 12 American men who won gold medals at the 1936 Olympics, Woodruff was the last survivor.

While only a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh in 1936, Woodruff took the track world by storm by finishing second in the 800 meters at the National AAU meet, then winning the Olympic Trials.

Despite his inexperience, he was quickly established as the favorite at the Berlin Olympics. He didn’t disappoint, though he had an anxious moment in the final when he found himself boxed in. He pulled a tactical coup, virtually slowing to a stop and waiting until the entire field passed him, then moving into the third lane and sprinting from last to first. His winning time was 1:52.9.
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TFS News Briefs: 11/01/07

Posted November 1st, 2007 at 10:30 AM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Track & Field, Olympics, TFS News Briefs

John Woodruff, 800m Olympic Gold Medalist, Dies at 92
John Woodruff, the 800m Gold Medalist at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany and the final survivor of the 12-man American Track & Field contingent that dashed the madman Hitler’s dreams for an Aryan Olympics, died Tuesday in Fountain Hills, AZ at age 92. Read more at: [NY Times][Wikipedia]

Reggae Marathon Hopes to Build Up Long-Distance Running in Jamaica
Jamaica has long been known for producing some of the world’s best sprinters. The organizers of the Reggae Marathon, however, hope to build up long-distance running in the country and take it to another level. The winners of the men’s and women’s races at this year’s event, to be held on December 1st, 2007, will win the Bob and Rita Marley trophies, respectively. Read more at: [Jamaica Gleaner News]

NY Times Article Discusses the Banning of Headphones at Road Races
An article in the New York Times discusses the new rule by the USATF that bans the use of headphones and portable audio players at USATF-sanctioned events. Read more at: [NY Times]
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