Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Olympic gold medalist Rafer Johnson, who helped bring Summer Games to L.A., dies at 86
LA Times ^ | 12/02/2020 | Scott Wilson

Posted on 12/02/2020 12:34:20 PM PST by DFG

Rafer Johnson, the breathtaking Olympic gold medal winner who became an adored symbol of good sportsmanship and civic generosity, died Wednesday at his home in Sherman Oaks. He was 86.

The Olympian’s death was confirmed by his family.

Johnson’s legacy was interwoven with Los Angeles’ history, beginning with his performances as a world-class athlete at UCLA, and punctuated by the night in 1968 when he helped disarm Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin at the Ambassador Hotel.

The son of Texas farmworkers who moved to California when he was young, Johnson rose to become the World’s Greatest Athlete, the unofficial title bestowed on the winner of the Olympic decathlon at a time when track and field stars received the adulation that today is bestowed on the best of the NFL and NBA.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: johnson; olympics; rafer; rfk
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-23 last
To: God luvs America

I remember - it was a LOT of steps!

That production (Don Ohlmeyer, maybe?) set the stage for subsequent torch lighting spectacles.


21 posted on 12/02/2020 2:00:34 PM PST by rockvillem
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

bump


22 posted on 12/02/2020 2:16:43 PM PST by foreverfree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DFG
Hold him Rafer, we don't want another Dallas!"

That is what was heard when he had pinned down Sirhan Sirhan.

23 posted on 12/02/2020 3:42:13 PM PST by PallMal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-23 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson