John Woodruff, a fellow black US teammate of Jesse Owens who also won a gold medal to repudiate Adolf Hitler's "master race" agenda at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, has died at an assisted living center near Phoenix.
Woodruff died on Tuesday at a center in Fountain Hills, said Rose Woodruff, his wife of 37 years. He was 92.
"I was at his bedside at the time he passed," she said in an interview on Thursday. "We were holding hands, and he slipped away peacefully."
PHOTO: AP/ESPN
Woodruff, nicknamed "Long John" for his lengthy stride, was a lanky 21-year-old first-year student at the University of Pittsburgh when he sailed to the Olympics and into a racially charged scene.
On Aug. 4, 1936, he won the 800m using one of the most astonishing tactics in Olympic history. Boxed in by the pack of slow-paced runners, he literally stopped, moved to the third lane and passed everyone.
"I didn't panic," Woodruff told the New York Times in 2005. "I just figured if I had only one opportunity to win, this was it. I've heard people say that I slowed down and almost stopped. I didn't almost stop. I stopped, and everyone else went around me."
The athletes in Berlin were given oak tree saplings and Woodruff planted his in his hometown of Connellsville, Pennsylvania.
"It now towers over 80 feet [24m]," Rose Woodruff said.
Owens and Woodruff remained close friends.
Besides his wife Rose, he is survived by a son John Junior, daughter Randilyn Gilliam, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
"He had a wonderful life," Rose Woodruff said. "John was a good man, a good person and had a lot of integrity and very strong character."
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely