1970s
1972 Olympics Munich, Germany
In 1972, the Summer Games begin in late August. The first mascot of the Games is Waldi, a dachshund. Unfortunately, these games are mostly known for the Munich Massacre that occurred during the second week of the games.
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James "Jim" Ryun, 1964, 1968 & 1972
James Ronald “Jim” Ryun was the first high school athlete to run a sub-four-minute mile. He competed in 1964, 1968, and 1972. Jim appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated four times and on the cover of Newsweek from 1960 - 1972. Ryun dominated in the sport setting several world records before the Olympic Games. He claimed a Silver medal in the 1968 games, the only medal he received. Ryun went on to serve as a Congressman for Kansas. He was reelected three times.
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Jan Johnson, 1972 & 1976
Jan Eric Johnson won Bronze in the ‘72 Olympics Games in pole vault. While attending KU his 17 feet 7 inches vault held the World Record. Johnson runs a pole vault camp, “Sky Jumpers” based in California. He has been an advocate for pole vault safety. He first co-authored a book “The Illustrated History of the Pole Vault (2007)”. He wrote a second book “The Highflyer and the Cultural Revolution.”
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Samuel “Sam” Colson, 1976
Samuel Linn “Sam” Colson was the number one ranking American javelin thrower in 1974 and 1976. Colson placed fifth in Javelin Throwing.
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Mark Lutz, 1976
Mark Edward Lutz was a key member of the KU track team between 1971 and 1974. Mark missed the 1972 Olympic Games for the 200 m. He was eliminated in the qualifying heat. At the 1976 Trials, entering the last turn of the 200 m, Mark was last. To everyone’s astonishment he finished third, qualifying him for the Olympic Team. Lutz finished 5th in the 1976 Olympic Games.
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