Mike Larrabee (© Getty Images)
Indianapolis, USA 1964 Olympic 400m champion Mike Larrabee who sadly died in April heads a group of four former track and field stars - John Carlos, Mary Decker Slaney, and Larry James – as the 2003 inductees into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame, USA Track & Field announced yesterday.
The Hall of Fame Class of 2003 will be inducted December 5 at the Jesse Owens Awards Banquet and Xerox Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Held in conjunction with the 2003 USATF Annual Meeting, the induction will take place at Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel in Greensboro, N.C. The induction will bring to 196 the number of inductees into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame.
“Our country has been blessed with so many wonderful track and field athletes, and this group of stars adds to our sport’s legacy,” said USATF President Bill Roe. “Their induction into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame is the highest recognition they can receive, and each athlete is most deserving of the honour.”
Larrabee, who died on April 22, 2003 at age 69, will always be remembered for his amazing comeback win in the 400 metres at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Also a gold medalist in the men’s 4x400m relay in Tokyo, Larrabee tied the 400 metres Wold record (44.9) in winning the 1964 Olympic Trials in Los Angeles.
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Carlos, 58, was the winner of numerous national titles, but is best known for winning the bronze medal in the 200 metres at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. The former World record holder at 100 yards and 200 metres, he won the 200 metres at the 1967 Pan American Games.
Decker Slaney, 45, was the 1983 World champion in the women’s 1500 and 3000m. She set 36 national records and 17 official and unofficial World records at various distances, and during her career she set American women’s records in every event from the 800m to 10,000m.
James, 55, won the 400m silver medal and a gold medal in the 4x400m relay at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. An NCAA champion while at Villanova, James is a former 400 meter world record holder (44.1) the 1970 World University Games gold medalist in the 400m Hurdles.
Eligible voters for the National Track & Field Hall of Fame include Track & Field Writers of America members, Hall of Fame members, USATF Association presidents, members of USATF standing sports committees and members of USATF’s Athlete Advisory Committee.
Exhibits honouring the members of the National Track & Field Hall of Fame will be on display at the Hall’s new home at The Armory in Upper Manhattan, in New York City. Due to open on January 24, 2004, the Hall of Fame will honour the nation’s finest track and field athletes, coaches and contributors through its three floors of exhibits and its Interactive Learning Centre.
USATF
