He was 97. Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic pole vault gold medals, died at age 97 . Last month, union members overwhelmingly authorized union leadership to call a strike if the two sides could not reach an agreement. Bob Richards was the second man to vault 15 feet and, like the first man over this height, Cornelius "Dutch" Warmerdam, he dominated the event for a number of years. The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. I was competing with a slippery pole.. 2-time Olympic pole vault champion Bob Richards dies at 97, Wizards show plenty of heart early but cant find an edge late in Chicago. From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. He was a three-time Olympic pole vaulter for the U.S. in 1948, 1952 and 1956, winning Gold in 52 and 56 after winning a Bronze medal in 48. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. Robert Eugene Richards was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Champaign, Ill., the third of five children of Leslie and Margaret (Palfrey) Richards. Share with Us. Richards also competed as a decathlete in the 1956 Olympics. I bawled like a baby., In many ways, the Summer Olympics are the Halleys Comet of sporting events. Arrest warrant issued for NFL prospect Jalen Carter on reckless driving, racing charges. He was 97. He graduated from high school in 1943, and in 1944 he enrolled at the Brethren affiliated Bridgewater College in Virginia. His sons followed in his pole-vaulting footsteps. Richards was the most successful pole vaulter in U.S. track and field history, in terms of Olympic success. He won the Helms Foundation Trophy and James E. Sullivan Award in 1951 as the outstanding amateur athlete in America. But they didnt believe they could win the Olympics. Richards himself never vaulted more than 15 feet 6 inches. His success in the air, combined with wholesome looks and an upbeat ministerial eloquence, made Mr. Richards a fixture in American households. But he escaped the street life into religion and athletics. Mr. Richardss daughter said her father regretted running on the Populist Party ticket given the extremism that developed in the party.. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. Bob Richards is Illinois' greatest pole vaulter in school history, while also earning a spot as one of the best U.S. vaulters in the history of the event. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has died The Rev. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. It was the greatest jump of my life, Richards said. A Facebook post . That distinction, as Richards acknowledged, belonged to Cornelius Warmerdam, a Californian who used bamboo poles to set world records of about 15 feet 8 inches in the early 1940s. 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. Be Nice. 'Bo was a legend', 5 CT companies hiring for 100 or more positions, Elizabeth's Cafe in Madison to be razed for new restaurant, housing, The Best Window Replacement Companies in CT, Guide to Legal Cannabis Dispensaries in CT, The Best Kitchen Remodeling Companies in CT, The Best Bathroom Remodeling Companies in CT, Video of fatal police shooting of CT man will not be released yet, Cannabis activists want more CT criminal cases dropped, expunged, CT DOT faces criticism following overnight tree-cutting, Haar: $1M in payouts approved, and CT still has a garbage crisis. Bears explore trade for No. Richards was the first athlete to appear on the front of the Wheaties cereal box in 1958 and was a national promoter of physical fitness. Bob Richards. USA Track . Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? After winning a second goal medal, Mr. Richardss career as pitchman took off, buoyed not just by Wheaties but also his popular 1959 autobiography Heart of a Champion.. Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. The versatile athlete known as the "Vaulting Vicar" also competed in the Olympic decathlon in 1956. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Bob Richards, byname of Robert Eugene Richards, (born February 20, 1926, Champaign, Illinois, U.S.died February 26, 2023, Waco, Texas), American athlete, the first pole-vaulter to win two Olympic gold medals. He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly., AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports. 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. Omissions? He transferred to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he graduated in 1947, the same year he tied for first in pole vaulting at the NCAA championships. Richards ran for president in 1984. Jeff's good friend and old training partner, Brandon Richards had an 8th grade son that vaulted at the school that Jeff was coaching at. Richards was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983 and the U.S. National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1975. The salesman is on the field! In 1970, he bicycled 3,300 miles from Los Angeles to New York to promote fitness. Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has . He built a pit in his backyard, jumping over a crossbar set between a tree limb and phone pole. Richards competed at the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympics in the pole vault, and eventually appeared on a box of . Please subscribe to keep reading. "The theme for the next few days is clear: Hey Kevyn, the lonely eyes of Sabres fans are turned to you,"Mike Harrington writes. In 1984, saying the country must work to get rid of these tyrants who rule us, he ran for president on the Populist Party ticket. The versatile athlete known as the Vaulting Vicar also competed in the Olympic decathlon in 1956. 1 eight times in an era when pole vaulting and other Olympic track-and-field events were chronicled on the front page of sports sections. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father "passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.". Pole vault. American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. Although he broke Olympic records and Russian hearts, and he became one of Americas most lionized and familiar celebrities a motivational speaker and Wheaties pitchman who personified wholesome values and once ran for president of the United States on a third party ticketRichards, even at the peak of his athletic power, was not the greatest American pole-vaulter of all time. His autobiography, Heart of a Champion, was published in 1959. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. Some clouds. Olympic-winning pole vaulter, pastor Bob Richards dies at 97. Low near 40F. Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic pole vault gold medals, has died at age 97, according to USA Track and Field. Richards competed at the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympics in the pole vault, and eventually appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal. Ex-NFL star Irv Cross, who died in 2021, diagnosed with CTE. The most colorful pole-vaulter . He was 97. He took gold medals at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, and the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. article ul li { list-style: disc; padding: 5px 0; } February 28, 2023 at 11:15 a.m. EST. Anonymous - pool, Olympic World Photo With none of the nine candidates running for Chicago mayor achieving more than 50% of the vote for an outright victory, the election moves to a runoff. 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Long before modern athletes began riding fiberglass poles to unimaginable heights, the Rev. Bob Richards, 97, pole-vaulting star, first champion on a Wheaties box. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. FILE - American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. Bob Richards was born on 20 February 1926 in Champaign, Illinois, USA. Richards was elected to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983, and to the U.S. National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1975. Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic gold medals for pole vaulting, died at 97 on Sunday. ET. General Mills. Bob Richards waves to the crowd after winning the pole vault gold medal at 1956 Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, Nov. 26, 1956. Richards competed at the 1948, 52 and 56 Olympics in the pole vault. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.. Most of us say, Im the worst. The busy and popular local doughnut chain will move its operations from 8560 Main St. to 8010 Transit Road this spring. Can you imagine going into a boxing ring thinking, Maybe Im not the greatest?. He always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be. 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. Threats of harming another Richards' exploits in track and field earned him three Olympic medals, a record, and 20 national titles. 1 in '79. The group, which includes 810 residents, fellows and interns at UB, announced their intent to organize with the Union of American Physicians a. Don't Threaten. He was 97. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Bengals don't plan to trade wide receiver Tee Higgins and consider the notion "ridiculous," director of player personnel Duke Tobin said Tuesday in Indianapolis. [1955] Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson appear headed for the April 4 election. Wrote Brandon Richards of his dad: "We lost a national treasure." The Buffalo Sabres' mostly injury-free season at forward took a decidedly darker turn Saturday night when the club placed top-line right winge. In 2000, Richards was inducted as a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy and awarded the Order of Lincoln (states highest honor) by the state of Illinois. 1 eight times in an . Bob Richards, a two-time . Richards won or tied in the pole vault at Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) meets nine times (194857). Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has died. March 1 (UPI) -- Veteran winger Patrick Kane says it was "bittersweet" to learn he was traded from the Chicago Blackhawks to the New York Rangers, but the move puts him in a "better spot" for a fourth championship. He also was the oldest living Olympic track and field champion before his death. He won gold medals in pole vault in both 1952 and 1956, becoming the only male two-time champion in the event in Olympic history. They had never gotten on a track. Richards was interested in athletics from boyhood, participating in diving and tumbling before . USA Track and Field confirmed his death. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. The Populist Party sought to abolish income taxes and the Federal Reserve Bank. It sounds cornball, but when you finally realize that dream and you walk up that podium and The Star-Spangled Banner plays, Im telling you, the tears just start flowing. Richards also became involved in politics, and he was the Populist Partys presidential candidate in the 1984 election; he received approximately 66,000 votes. Richards competed at the 1948, 52 and 56 Olympics in the pole vault. 1967 Winnipeg. ', 'Saturday Night Live' skit with Woody Harrelson takes place at Naval Submarine Base New London, Los Charros Cantina closes in Essex, will relocate to Branford, Second winter storm could hit parts of CT Friday, National Weather Service says, Bo Hickey, former New Canaan hockey, football coach and NFL player, has died. Corrections? In 1970, he married Vonda Joan Beaird. In New York, chefs are redefining it. He was 97. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. Took 1st Place and Gold Medal in Pole Vault at the Olympic Games in Helsinki. Originally published on thecentersquare.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange. Lakers concerned injured LeBron James may miss more than a week. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Keep it Clean. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Several of his children and grandchildren became competitive pole vaulters, surpassing his 15 feet 6 inches by several feet - though they werent vaulting with a metal pole. He won a bronze medal in his first Olympic go-around, followed by back-to-back gold medals. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Richards, The Olympic Movement - Biography of Robert Richards. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was 97. Bob Richards, two time Olympic Gold Medalist in the pole vault, moved to Waco and the vision became a reality. "He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly.". USA Track and Field confirmed his death. I went over the crossbar by a foot. Robert E. Richards, an ordained minister nicknamed the Vaulting Vicar, won Olympic gold medals in 1952 at Helsinki and in 1956 at Melbourne, Australia, using aluminum poles to clear bars set at just under 15 feet. A million guys stronger, faster, he continued. From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. T. HE POLE VAULT -- the most technologically advanced, adventure-filled event in track and field -- represents all the innocence, bravado, and magic of childhood. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. History of US Nationals Results: Pole Vault - Men. FILE - American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 1 pole vaulter. A Facebook post by his son Brandon said that Richards "passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones." The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. At the 1948 Olympic Games in London, he won a bronze medal, and he won his first gold medal at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, repeating this accomplishment at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. His parents were divorced when he was a teenager, but a minister gave him a home, steered him away from the streets and awakened his interest in religion. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. He had become a Brethren minister in 1946 and in 1948 received his M.A. He received the James E. Sullivan award in 1951 for outstanding amateur athlete. INDIANAPOLIS, March 1 (UPI) -- The Baltimore Ravens hope to agree to a contract extension with Lamar Jackson before the NFL's March 7 franchise tag deadline, general manager Eric DeCosta told reporters Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine. Article. Bob Richards was born on February 20, 1926 in Champaign, Illinois, USA. Besides winning two gold medals in the Olympics in the 1950s, he took a bronze medal at the 1948 Olympics in London and gold at the Pan American Games in 1951 and 1955. accounts, the history behind an article. or anything. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. Richards excelled in basketball, where he was an All Mason/Dixon selection in 1945. . From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. Please use the button below to manage your account. His autobiography, Heart of a Champion, was published in 1959. Illinois pole vaulting legend Bob Richards has passed away. He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly. 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. Bob Richards . The two-time Olympic gold medalist watched as his . Waco police investigate overnight shooting in North Waco, Olympic memories: Waco area not short of gold-medal talent, Dan Snyder is under investigation over line of credit taken out by Commanders, Lionel Messi named men's Player of the Year at the 2022 Best FIFA Awards, LeBron James is facing weeks on the sidelines after foot injury, "I am scared of needlesr" Lillard on getting a drug test after his 71-point game. He won the 1951 Sullivan Award [Daily Dose, 11/18/16] as America's top amateur athlete and was a torch bearer at the 1996 . He won a bronze medal in his first Olympic go-around, followed by back-to-back gold medals. Be Proactive. With the ministers help, Mr. Richards enrolled at Bridgewater College, a Brethren-affiliated school in Virginia, where he dominated collegiate pole vaulting. The versatile athlete known as the Vaulting Vicar also competed in the Olympic decathlon in 1956. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was 97. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. He was also a football quarterback in high school. Brandon`s father, Bob Richards, is to the pole vault what Babe Ruth is to the home run: a standard of comparison. Jacob Wooten (unat) . For The Hometown Register, Illinois quick hits: Pole vaulter Bob Richards passes away; Caterpillar reaches deal with union, 6 in 10 women still dont think theres enough body diversity in the media, Pritzker announces $60M park grants, declines to endorse Chicago mayor candidate, These trendy diets are the least healthy way to lose weight, AHA News: Mediterranean Lifestyle, Not Just Diet, May Greatly Improve Health, Judge clears portion of Flores v. NFL discrimination suit to proceed, Colts GM downplays desire to deal for No. Thank you for reading! He became an ordained minister and preached at churches and gatherings all over the world, earning the monikers the Vaulting Vicar and the Pole Vaulting Pastor. Richards became a popular and prolific public speaker who gave more than 25,000 speeches to businesses and organizations worldwide, Brandon said. 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. 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