Word: decathloners
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Your article on the decathlon star, Rafer Johnson, awakens issues more pertinent and basic to our national prestige, namely, that the U.S. is existing in a dangerously competitive world and that racial prejudice and bigotry cannot be tolerated if we want to continue to exist as a competitor and, possibly, a leader...
...accomplishment, their duel was the most stirring man-to-man competition of the Olympic Games. Drenched by rain, California's strapping Rafer Johnson, 26 (TiME cover, Aug. 29), and Formosa's wiry Vang Chuan-kwang, 27, had struggled until u p.m. on the first day of the decathlon-the exhausting, ten-event test that would decide which was the world's best all-round athlete. On the second day, after the two men had wearily completed the ninth event (the javelin), statisticians figured that Johnson led Yang by a cliffhanging 67 points...
...hope it's all wrapped up before the 1,500 meters," Johnson had said. "I never want to settle one in that thing." But the 1960 Olympic gold medal was to be settled in "that thing": the metric mile, despised by all decathlon men because it demands brute endurance just as their last bit of strength is ebbing away...
...Johnson ("He's tense. Loosen up, Ray. Loosen up! Relax"), and exhorted Yang ("Judas priest! Get that blasted head down on that high jump"). Drake guessed that Johnson would forget about winning the 1,500 meters, try simply to stick close enough to Yang to preserve his overall decathlon lead. "If Ray doesn't tie up, he'll dog Yang all the way," said Drake. "He's got the heart...
With every rival conquered, Rafer John son later reaffirmed his decision to retire from the decathlon. "Tonight I'm going to shower and then just walk for abou four hours and look at the moon," said Olympic Champion Johnson, "I don' know where-just walk, walk, walk. I've got to unwind. I'm through, man, I'n through...