I watched an Oerter doc, and it had some funny stuff. He only started throwing because he was running track, and the discus thrower had thrown it so badly and off line, and Oerter picked up up and heaved it so well back that the coach said, "You, you're not running anymore: you're our discus man." He said the coach was 400 pounds but taught him discipline. And if I recall correctly, he was never the favorite at any of the 4 Olympics. But he loved the Games, and--obviously--he always rose to the occasion.
perhaps NOT the greatest discus thrower, if distances was the only gauge. what he was, is the greatest competitor, the best ambassador of the sport, a fantastic teacher of the event, and perhaps most of all, an honorable role model for youth and young adults. a 4 time Olympic Champion, who was politically denied an opportunity for a 5th. the likes of Mr Al will never be seen again.
A truly GREAT athlete and competitor.
I watched an Oerter doc, and it had some funny stuff. He only started throwing because he was running track, and the discus thrower had thrown it so badly and off line, and Oerter picked up up and heaved it so well back that the coach said, "You, you're not running anymore: you're our discus man." He said the coach was 400 pounds but taught him discipline. And if I recall correctly, he was never the favorite at any of the 4 Olympics. But he loved the Games, and--obviously--he always rose to the occasion.
perhaps NOT the greatest discus thrower, if distances was the only gauge. what he was, is the greatest competitor, the best ambassador of the sport, a fantastic teacher of the event, and perhaps most of all, an honorable role model for youth and young adults. a 4 time Olympic Champion, who was politically denied an opportunity for a 5th. the likes of Mr Al will never be seen again.
Can you imagine the kind of punchers these guys could become if they went into boxing?
You don't get to use torque that much in boxing- no spinning before throwing the punch.
Thanks . ..old school.
Great video! Watch it every night
Oerter and Alekna...