George Young (runner)
Medal record
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George L. Young (July 24, 1937 – November 8, 2022) was an American track athlete and college coach. He won a bronze medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics in the 3000 meter steeplechase and held several American records in events ranging from the two mile to the 5000 meter race. He broke two world records, in the indoor two and three mile events.
Early life and education
Born in
1960 Olympics
Shortly after graduating, Young qualified for the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. During the preliminary rounds for the steeplechase, he tripped over a hurdle and thus did not advance to the finals. The next year, he broke the American steeplechase record when he ran the event in 8:31.0.
1964 Olympics
Young improved his Olympic record at the 1964 games in Tokyo, running to fifth place in the steeplechase in 8:38.2. Gaston Roelants of Belgium won gold in an Olympic Record 8:30.8.
1968 Olympics
In the first half of 1968, Young broke his own American steeplechase record with a time of 8:30.6 and set the American two mile record with a time of 8:22.0. He felt his fitness was strong enough that he and training partner Billy Mills thought they'd take a shot at an Olympic marathon qualifier at the trials held in Alamosa, Colorado. Young won the race and earned his way on to his third Olympic team. He later qualified again in the steeplechase at the track and field trials held in Echo Summit, California. At the 1968 Olympics, held in Mexico City at an elevation of 7,382 ft, he competed in the marathon, placing 16th, and the steeplechase, where he placed third and took the bronze medal. In that race, he was leading with about 300 Meters to go before falling victim to Mexico City's altitude and "hitting the wall". He was passed by two athletes born and trained at altitude in Kenya.
The following year Young set two world records in the indoor two and three mile events with times of 8:27.2 and 13:09.8, respectively. He was featured on the March 1969 cover of
1972 Olympics
After a classic battle with
Career summary and records
In addition to his records in the steeplechase, two mile and indoor three mile, he also held American records for the 5000 meter, 3000 meter, steeplechase, and 4x1500 meter relay, as well as twelve age group world records. At age 34, he became the oldest person in the world (at that time) to run a sub-four-minute mile, with a time of 3:59.6 in Los Angeles, CA in March 1972.[3] He was the first New Mexico born athlete to accomplish this feat.
Post-running career
Following his running career, he coached seven different sports at Central Arizona College. He led his teams to a total of fourteen championships, including the 1988 national title in cross country. In 1988 he was named the National Junior College Athletic Association coach of the year.[3]
Young died on November 8, 2022, at the age of 85.[5]
Legacy and honors
Young was inducted into the
Books
- 1976, Always Young, Frank Dolson.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "George Young". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 21, 2009.
Full name: George L. Young
- ^ a b c d "George Young". USA Track & Field. Archived from the original on October 27, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "George Young". National Distance Running Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 11, 2008.
- ^ "Past Covers 1969". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ "George Young". Olympedia. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ "George Young". New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame.
- ISBN 978-0890370728.
External links
- George Young at the USATF Hall of Fame (archived)
- George Young at Olympics.com
- George Young at OlympicChannel.com (archived)
- George Young at Olympic.org (archived)
- George Young at Olympedia
https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a41924344/george-young-dies-at-85/
