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LAST UPDATED ON Friday October 31 2003 |
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS |
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Thrower named to US Track and Field Hall of FameXerox Sponsors Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies GREG FOSTER, FRANCIE LARRIEU-SMITH, JAY SILVESTER AND DWIGHT STONES ELECTED TO NATIONAL TRACK AND FIELD HALL OF FAMEIndianapolis -- Four track and field greats -- hurdler Greg Foster, who won the 110 meter hurdles at the outdoor World Championships three times and won 10 national titles; Francie Larrieu-Smith, who set 35 American records in distances from 1,000 meters to two miles; Jay Silvester, a seven-time world record holder in the discus, and high jumper Dwight Stones, an 11-time national champion who set the world record three times -- have been elected to the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. The 20th annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies and Luncheon, Presented by The Document Company - Xerox, will take place in Orlando on Thursday, Dec. 3 during USA Track & Field's Annual Meeting at the Clarion Plaza Hotel. Eligible voters included the Track and Field Writers of America, Hall of Fame members, USATF Association presidents, chairs of USATF standing sports committees and members of USATF¹s Athletes Advisory Committee. Foster, 40, was one of the world's greatest high hurdlers from 1981 to 1991. A national collegiate champion at UCLA in both the high hurdles and 200 meters, he was victorious at the first three outdoor World Championships. He won the silver medal at the 1984 Olympics. He was world-ranked for 15 of 16 years from 1977 to 1992, achieving the top spot five times. He set world indoor records in 1986 and 1987, and was the 1991 world indoor champion. Larrieu-Smith, 45, set 35 American records in distances from 1,000 meters to two miles. She won 21 national titles, was a member of five Olympic teams starting in 1972 and finished fifth at 10,000 meters in 1988. At the 1992 Games, in which she competed in the marathon, she carried the U.S. flag at the Opening Ceremonies. She has been nationally-ranked in every event from 800 meters to the marathon. Silvester, 61, was a member of 16 national teams. He competed in four Olympics, taking fourth in 1964, fifth in 1968, second in 1972 and third in 1976. His first world record, 198-8, came in 1961, and he became the first discus thrower to reach 220 and 230 feet. His best mark was 230-11 in 1971, a performance that would still be world-ranked today. He won five national titles and was victorious at the Olympic Trials in 1964, 1968 and 1972. Stones, 44, remained one of the world's top high jumpers from 1973-1984. He set his first world record in 1973, clearing 7-6*. That jump made him the first "flop" jumper to set a world record. He raised the standard to 7-7 in 1976 and then to 7-7* two months later. Stones competed in three Olympics, taking the bronze medal in 1972 and 1976, and finishing fourth in 1984. He won the Olympic Trials in 1972 and 1984. "We are all looking forward to welcoming the Class of 1998 to the Hall of Fame at our Annual Meeting in Orlando," said USATF CEO Craig Masback. "I respect Jay Silvester's long domination of his event and his subsequent contributions to the sport, but I am particularly excited that Francie, Dwight and Greg -- who were my contemporaries -- have been chosen for induction. And we are most appreciative to Xerox for again partnering with us on this project. Xerox has been a very important promotional partner, and I'm thrilled that they are the sponsor of our prestigious Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony." "Our congratulations to Francie, Greg, Jay and Dwight," said Xerox Manager of Olympic Marketing Terry W. Dillman. "Xerox is proud to join with USA Track & Field in honoring these legendary performers. The Hall of Fame represents the pinnacle in their careers, and we are happy to again take a leading role in recognizing the history of this great sport." Biographies for each of the new Hall of Famers follow. GREG FOSTER: Born April 4, 1958, Chicago, Ill. One of the world's greatest high hurdlers from 1981 to 1991, Foster was a national collegiate champion while at UCLA in both the high hurdles and 200 meters. After college, he won 10 national titles, both indoor and outdoor, and won the first three outdoor World Championships. His best Olympic Games showing was a silver medal in 1984. He was world-ranked for 15 of 16 years from 1977 to 1992 and achieved top rankings five times. He set world indoor records in 1986 and 1987. He was a member of 12 international teams, was the 1991 world indoor champion and the 1981 World Cup winner. He was world-ranked in the 200 meters in 1979. FRANCIE LARRIEU-SMITH: Born Nov, 23, 1952, Palo Alto, Calif. It was once said that running was Larrieu-Smith's way of life. How else could you describe an athlete whose running career spanned four decades and 35 American records in distances from 1,000 meters to two miles? During an international career that lasted from 1969 until 1992, Larrieu-Smith was on 28 national teams and won 21 national titles. She was a member of five Olympic teams, starting in 1972 when she ran the 1,500 meters. She also ran the 1,500 at the 1976 Games and was a team member at the same distance in 1980, when the U.S. did not compete. She missed out on the 1984 team, but ran the 10,000 at the 1988 Games, taking fifth. She moved up to the marathon for the 1992 Games. At the 1992 Games, she carried the U.S. flag at the Opening Ceremonies. She has been nationally-ranked in every event from 800 meters to the marathon. She ran in the 1987 and 1991 World Championships at 10,000 meters. JAY SILVESTER: Born Aug. 27, 1937, Trementon, Utah. A seven-time world record holder in the discus, Silvester was a member of 16 U.S. national teams. He was a member of four Olympic teams, taking fourth in 1964, fifth in 1968, second in 1972 and third in 1976. His first world record of 198-8 came in 1961, and he was the first to throw 220 and 230 feet. His best mark was 230-11 in 1971, a performance that would still be world-ranked today. He won five national titles and was victorious at the Olympic Trials in 1964, 1968 and 1972. He was also an excellent shot putter with a best of 65-7* in 1971. A graduate of Utah State, Silvester earned his Ph.D. from Brigham Young University and was a highly successful coach there. DWIGHT STONES: Born Dec. 6, 1953, Los Angeles, Calif. A former world record holder in the high jump, Stones was one of the world's best from 1973 to 1984. He represented the U.S. in three Olympic Games, taking third in both 1972 and 1976, and fourth in 1984. An 11-time national champion, Stones, who attended both Long Beach State and UCLA, set his first world record in 1973, clearing 7-6*. That jump made him the first "flop" jumper to set a world record. He raised the world record to 7-7 in 1976 and added another quarter-inch to the record two months later. He won the Olympic Trials in 1972 and 1984. After his athletic days, he became a television commentator. If you have news, results or info please let us know by using our submission form or emailing Larry Steinke [ MEET INFORMATION ] [ ANALYSIS & TIPS ] [ THROWS ARTICLES ] [ INTERVIEWS ] [ RECORDS ] [ RESULTS ] [ CLASSIFIEDS ] [ HOT LINK ARCHIVE ] [ DISCUSSION FORUM ] [ SUBMISSIONS ] [ THROWERS QUIZ ] [ GUESTBOOK ] | ||