The Leap

[Double R Bar]

Happy 68th birthday today (Thursday) to an Olympic champion, the first from his country to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event in some 56 years!
Our birthday athlete competed in three Olympic Games, winning the gold medal in his first Olympics.
This person carried the national flag in the Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies in his second Olympics.
He failed to make the final in his third and final Olympics.
Some may forget that our birthday athlete also competed in two other events at his first Olympic Games.
Anyone know who this Olympic champion may be?

[Rob]

Re: The Leap

Lynn Davies.

[Double R Bar]

Re: The Leap

Rob, you did it. Very good. Today is the 68th birthday of Olympic long jump champion Lynn Davies. Davies defeated the defending Olympic long jump champion, Ralph Boston, at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. Lynn Davies also competed in the 100 meters and the four by 100 meters relay in Tokyo. Happy birthday Lynn Davies.

[Ref]

Re: The Leap

Making the thread title Lynn's nickname was a bit of a giveaway!

He presented me with a prize for PV at an open graded meeting early in 1984. Got to shake his hand. He looked about 25, although I suppose he must have been 41 then.