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Bill Johnson, first US skier to win Olympic downhill gold, dead at 55
AP via foxnews.com ^ | January 22, 2016 | AP

Posted on 01/22/2016 10:58:32 AM PST by John W

Bill Johnson, the brash American who became the first U.S. skier to win an Olympic downhill title, died after a long illness, the U.S. ski team said Friday. He was 55.

Megan Harrod, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Alpine team, said Johnson died Thursday at an assisted living facility in Gresham, Oregon.

Johnson's health had been on the decline for several years after a series of strokes.

Johnson won the downhill at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics, the first American to capture gold in Alpine skiing's marquee event. He was also the first American male to win an Olympic gold in any Alpine event.

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


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: athletes; billjohnson; billjohnsonobit; ski; skier; teamusa
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To: John W

American legend. That race to gold in 1984 was epic. RIP.


21 posted on 01/22/2016 11:20:06 AM PST by lodi90 (TRUMP Force 1 lifting off)
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To: John W
After he won the gold medal a reporter asked him how it felt. He said it was better than stealing cars.

The Euro snobs looked down on him but he was a master at getting inside their heads. He was an expert at intimidating them and had no fear. When he would run into them in the village he would tell them right to their faces: "I'm gonna win the gold." His winning race is right up there with Franz Klammer for edge of the seat excitement. Wish his life after the olympics had gone better for him. He was a real character.

22 posted on 01/22/2016 11:33:40 AM PST by Mase (Save me from the people who would save me from myself!)
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To: John W

Sad. RIP.


23 posted on 01/22/2016 11:52:45 AM PST by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
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To: trisham
] As of February, 2014, after a return to long-term care, he was free of infection, able to move one side of his body, eat and smoke with assistance, and communicate using a letter board.[34] However, later again Johnson experienced worsening health. Johnson died on January 21, 2016, at the care facility in Gresham.[35] He was 55.

Smoke? After all those injuries to his brain? He wanted to die.

24 posted on 01/22/2016 11:56:58 AM PST by Talisker (One who commands, must obey.)
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To: Talisker

Why begrudge him such at that point and in that condition?


25 posted on 01/22/2016 12:09:16 PM PST by John W (Under One Year And Counting!)
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To: Mase
His winning race is right up there with Franz Klammer for edge of the seat excitement.

For me, that is still the single-most thrilling moment in Olympic history.

26 posted on 01/22/2016 12:10:47 PM PST by dfwgator
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To: John W
Why begrudge him such at that point and in that condition?

Not the point. Helping him smoke while he's under a self-made DNR because of multiple, crippling strokes is a form of assisted suicide. It's statistically inevitable. Just calling it what it was.

27 posted on 01/22/2016 12:16:28 PM PST by Talisker (One who commands, must obey.)
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To: TontoKowalski

You are not going to die, you will be fine, no one is plotting to kill old white men off.


28 posted on 01/22/2016 12:17:16 PM PST by the_individual2014
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To: the_individual2014
LOL, I can laugh at that.

However, the news story is real. White men are dying younger at a very disproportionate rate.

When I heard the story, I thought it would cause a national crisis. If us working white guys die off, who the hell is going to pay for all the "free" stuff in this country?

29 posted on 01/22/2016 12:22:25 PM PST by TontoKowalski (Satisfied Customer #291)
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To: John W

A great athlete who had a hard life. RIP.


30 posted on 01/22/2016 12:23:04 PM PST by jumpingcholla34 (.)
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To: Talisker

The smoking was probably OKed by his docs since the nicotine would help stimulate his brain (it is similar to aceytlcholine) and would induce more dopamine.


31 posted on 01/22/2016 12:29:02 PM PST by Kirkwood (Zombie Hunter)
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To: TangledUpInBlue

Or alcohol


32 posted on 01/22/2016 12:42:30 PM PST by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: trisham

A sad story


33 posted on 01/22/2016 12:44:27 PM PST by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: John W
If you feel like it, join in the Free Republic Caucus (each day)

Thank you.  Be sure to read the rules and follow them so your candidate will benefit from your vote.

LINK to Caucus 01/22/2016

A link to yesterday'sresults is at the bottom of the top post.  (under construction)

Folks, if you haven't already and can manage it now, please support the FReepathon.  Thank you.  LINK

We've very lucky to have this forum where we can debate the issues of the day.

34 posted on 01/22/2016 1:45:14 PM PST by DoughtyOne (Free Republic Caucus: vote daily / watch for the thread / Starts 01/20 midnight to midnight EDST)
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To: Kirkwood
The smoking was probably OKed by his docs since the nicotine would help stimulate his brain (it is similar to aceytlcholine) and would induce more dopamine.

Yeah, that's why docs reccommend smoking for stroke patients.

Give it a rest.

35 posted on 01/22/2016 2:18:44 PM PST by Talisker (One who commands, must obey.)
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To: BookmanTheJanitor

Thanks, loved the clip.

May he Rest in Peace.


36 posted on 01/22/2016 2:26:29 PM PST by Irish Eyes
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To: Nifster

Yes, it is very sad. Poor man.


37 posted on 01/22/2016 3:38:51 PM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: trisham

RIP, Bill Johnson. How I wanted to be you in 1984— so fearless. Sad way for a wild bronco to go out.


38 posted on 01/22/2016 4:13:39 PM PST by Defiant (RINOs are leaders of a party without voters. Trump/Cruz are leaders of voters without a party.)
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To: Defiant

He was an amazing athlete. So much fun to watch!


39 posted on 01/22/2016 4:16:19 PM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: dfwgator
Just watched it again for the first time in a long time. Truly amazing.

Franz Klammer 1976

40 posted on 01/22/2016 5:58:17 PM PST by Mase (Save me from the people who would save me from myself!)
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