New Delhi: The 1956 American long jump champion Greg Bell passed away at the age of 94 on January 25. The World Athletics confirmed his death on Wednesday, January 29. He was the oldest living Olympic gold medallist in the Athletics.
He was a leading figure in the long jump during the 1950s. Bell produced his personal best of 8.10m in Austin, USA in 1957. He was just three centimeters away from breaking the world record which was set by Jesse Owens in the year 1935. He also recorded brilliant jumps of 8.09 m in 1956 and 8.10m in 1959.
World Athletics paid tribute to the American great and said that the sports governing body is deeply saddened to hear that Greg Bell, the 1956 Olympic long jump champion, died on Saturday at the age of 94. He had been the oldest living Olympic gold medallist in athletics.
World Athletics is deeply saddened to hear that Greg Bell, the 1956 Olympic long jump champion, died on Saturday at the age of 94.
He had been the oldest living Olympic gold medallist in athletics.
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) January 29, 2025
Who was Greg Bell?
Greg Bell was born on November 7, 1930, in Terre Haute in the USA and attended Garfield High School. After serving in the army, the American great joined Indiana University and remained undefeated in the long jump throughout his college career, including victories at the NCAA Championships.
At the age of 26, he jumped 7.83m in the tough conditions to win by 15cm against his opponent John Bennett during the 1956 Olympic games. He also won a silver medal at the Pan American Games in 1959 in Chicago. He retired after finishing in the fourth position at the US Olympic Trials in 1960.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Indiana University and became a dentist later. He was also the director of dentistry at the Logansport State Hospital for 50 years and announced his retirement at the age of 89 in 2020. Bell was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Indiana University. He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame of US National Track and Field in 1988.
Greg Bell, the 1956 Olympic long jump champion, dies at the age of 94. He was famous for his impressive jumps, including his personal best of 8.10 meters. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
