The World’s oldest Olympic Gold Medalist Harrison Dillard (USA), passed away yesterday aged 96. “Bones” Dillard was a 4 time gold medalist, over two Olympic Games, winning 100 metres and 4×100 gold at 1948 London Olympics and at 1952 Olympics in Helsinki he won 110 Hurdles gold and 4×100 gold.
Along with Kip Keino he is the only athlete to win Olympic Gold on the flat and over hurdles.
Between his two Olympic Games Dillard competed at the 1949 Clonliffe Sports in front of more than 30,000 spectators at Lansdowne Road where he won the 120 yd hurdles in an all comers record of 14.40 sec.
Muliple Olympic Champion Fanny Blankers Koen also competed at this meeting.
(Dominic Branigan)
