Bob Mathias Dies ... Possibly The Greatest Athlete Ever

Bob Mathias ... a name many younger folks may not recognize ... died on Sunday.

He was an amazing athlete ... possibly the best of the 20th Century. In 1948 ... when he was a 17YO in high school ... his track coach suggested that he try the decathlon. Bob had never even heard of the decathlon ... much less particpated in one.

But he followed coach's advice ... won a local decathlon ... then went to the Olympic Trials ... and won that one ... then went to the Olympics ... and defeated the world's best athletes while still only a 17YO ... setting a new world record in the process.

He came back in 1952 ... now a 21YO ... and became the first athlete to repeat as Olympic decathlon champion ... again setting a new world record.

He was a very modest young man ... and older man ... who never sought publicity ... and never boasted of his remarkable achievements.

They don't make 'em like Bob Mathias any more.

[irishtrekker]

RIP. Thanks for the background, BB.