Thank you for uploading this film. Al Oerter was a great athlete; maybe the greatest. His four olympic gold medals stand testament to the amazing strength and mystical power of the human will to overcome weakness, injury, and fear. A truly great man!
As a high school senior I had the pleasure to throw against Al Oerter at a NYAC meet on Staten Island. That day I finished 3rd with a throw of 173' while Al won with a toss of 203'. After the meet, I was standing with my dad when Al approached me and said, "Hey kid, how old are you?". I replied "17 Mr. Oerter." He said to me, "That's a great toss for your age. Keep it up and I may see you in the Olympics some day." That was never to be..... but I'll never forget that day as long as I live and the chance as a young boy to throw against a legend. He won the gold medal in Mexico City the following year. He told me his secret was that he always threw the Beconta discus which was the only sanctioned discus for the Olympics. None of the other throwers cared for it as it had a thick rim and felt strange. I think he could've won with any discus but it was an interesting story.
Thank you for uploading this film. Al Oerter was a great athlete; maybe the greatest. His four olympic gold medals stand testament to the amazing strength and mystical power of the human will to overcome weakness, injury, and fear. A truly great man!
The legendary Al oerter.
Incredible story. Inspired this field event and sprinter in high school back in the early 70's.
One of the great sports narration voices of all time, David Perry. He also did 16 Days of Glory.
One of the greatest athletes in the history of sports, R.I.P Al Oerter
September 19, 1936 - October 1, 2007
Wow-fantastic video. I threw discus in high school. Loved Al Oerter. Too bad he missed 1980 olympics. A great man.
As a high school senior I had the pleasure to throw against Al Oerter at a NYAC meet on Staten Island. That day I finished 3rd with a throw of 173' while Al won with a toss of 203'. After the meet, I was standing with my dad when Al approached me and said, "Hey kid, how old are you?". I replied "17 Mr. Oerter." He said to me, "That's a great toss for your age. Keep it up and I may see you in the Olympics some day." That was never to be..... but I'll never forget that day as long as I live and the chance as a young boy to throw against a legend. He won the gold medal in Mexico City the following year. He told me his secret was that he always threw the Beconta discus which was the only sanctioned discus for the Olympics. None of the other throwers cared for it as it had a thick rim and felt strange. I think he could've won with any discus but it was an interesting story.
Замечательный атлет! Вечная память.
What an inspiration. TY
Thank you - this man was my hero when I a young boy
Thank you SO MUCH for this!
My favorite Olympic athlete of all time.
wow...I didn't realize how much of a powerhouse the USA was in those Olympics in the discus...many medals for the USA in the discus, some 1-2-3
I knew the story and thougjt remarkable after watcing this I think astounding.
This is GOLD, thanks man!!!!!!!
Thanks for posting!
USA needs more discus athletes
Anon Ymous we had mac wilkins, gotta give the other countries a chance
Valerie Allman has won 2 Olympic golds since that comment
Thanks a lot!
This is a great clip but I am good man how are you? where are you from?
great story
Unleash the beast!
The legendary Al Oerter.