Death of a True Sporting Legend
I love performance, and I believe there is merit in anything that is done to a high level. The death of Al Oerter saddened me today because if ever there was a high level performer, this was he
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Too often we use the term sporting legend. We shouldn’t use the word legend lightly, we need to keep such terms available for guys like Oerter. His 4 consecutive Olympic Gold medals were unmatched in his era. The only other sportsman to match that feat in athletics is the great Carl Lewis.
Oerter was an innovator, a talent and unquestionably driven. 12 years of domination from the ages of 20 to 32 don’t happen by accident. If anyone has ever tried throwing that 2kg lump, it takes immeasurable speed, skill and above all finesse to make it fly. To do so under immense pressure for 4 consecutive Olympic Games requires a form of genius.
Having retired from athletics Al made a name for himself as an abstract artist. Visiting his website is a surreal experience, all the photos of a healthy, happy man with an email from which there will never be a reply. I feel there is not much that I can say to add any additional value to his memory but I believe his common sense, iron-minded approach to sport will outlive any of his achievements. That is the highest complement I can pay him.
Al Oerter Quotes
“As long as I can concentrate and remain somewhat calm, I can normally do very well.”
“I don’t compete with other discus throwers. I compete with my own history.”
“I don’t think the discus will ever attract any interest until they let us start throwing them at each other.”
“I never set out to beat the world. I just set out to do my absolute best.”
“To exercise at or near capacity is the best way I know of reaching a true introspective state. If you do it right, it can open all kinds of inner doors.”
Posted 01.10.07