Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has died at 97 years old.
Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. He was 97.
USA Track and Field confirmed his death. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father “passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.”in the pole vault. He won a bronze medal in his first Olympic go-around, followed by back-to-back gold medals. The versatile athlete known as the “Vaulting Vicar” also competed in the Olympic decathlon in 1956.
From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983 after a career that included winning at the Millrose Games 11 straight times. He also appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal.post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. He became a pastor who went all around to give lectures, leading to a career as a motivational speaking.
Wrote Brandon Richards of his dad: “We lost a national treasure.” He added that his father “always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be. He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly.”
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2-time Olympic pole vault champion Bob Richards dies at 97Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. He was 97.
Read more »
Kyle Richards calls out Melissa Gorga for assuming she was taking OzempicThe reality star has found herself constantly defending her hot bod after fans shared their disbelief she got it by only working out and eating healthier.
Read more »
Kyle Richards Reacts to Melissa Gorga Speculating She's on OzempicKyle Richards addressed Melissa Gorga’s previous comments about her allegedly taking Ozempic to slim down — details
Read more »
Philly native Asim Richards’ position switch after high school is paying dividends for his NFL futureRichards will get to show his versatility at the NFL scouting combine, where a strong performance could boost the draft stock for the former Haverford School standout.
Read more »
Bob Baffert moves his top Kentucky Derby horses to former assistant Tim YakteenArabian Knight, the odds favorite to win the Kentucky Derby, is among horses Bob Baffert moved to Tim Yakteen so they can earn Derby qualifying points.
Read more »
The Bouncy Bob Is the Red-Carpet Hair Trend That Suits All AgesWill the bob haircut popularity ever wane? If the SAGAwards red carpet is anything to go by, the answer is no.
Read more »