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The IAAF is deeply saddened to hear that US athletics writer Bert Rosenthal, one of the leading authorities on athletics during the 1980s and 1990s, died on Sunday (15) at the age of 79.
Rosenthal was born in New York in June 1936. After graduating from City College of New York, Rosenthal joined the Associated Press as a statistician in 1957.
He worked as AP’s athletics writer from 1972. He covered seven Olympics, from 1976 to 2000, and every IAAF World Championships up to and including 2001, finally retiring in Edmonton.
Rosenthal won story of the year awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) in 1983 and 1984. He also received the Jesse Abramson Award from the Track and Field Writers of America (TAFWA) as writer of the year in 1988.
He was known for his knowledge, his work ethic and his desire to help others.
Rosenthal died last weekend in Scottsdale, having been in failing health for a long time. He is survived by his wife Emily, his four children – Scott, Gail, Sandy and Rebecca – and one granddaughter.
IAAF
