Olympic Champion Dallas Long Dies at 84

Dallas Long, the 1964 Olympic shot put champion and influential figure in the sport, has passed away at the age of 84 due to natural causes in Whitefish, Montana. Born on June 13, 1940, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, he achieved significant success in the 1960s, winning three consecutive NCAA titles and breaking the world record 11 times. His Olympic gold medal in Tokyo was marked by a throw of 66 feet, 8.50 inches, which was an Olympic record at the time, along with a bronze medal performance in Rome in 1960. Long was not only an accomplished athlete but also earned degrees in dentistry and medicine, later practicing emergency medicine. Inducted into multiple halls of fame, he is survived by four children and numerous grandchildren. His impact on athletics and his diverse career beyond sports are remembered fondly by fans and peers alike.