RIP Bob Richards, inspirer of Jim Valvano and Billie Jean-King

[Kingspoint]

Bob Richards is the only male Olympian to ever defend his pole-vaulting title. He won Gold in '52 and '56 (and bronze in '48).

He was a minister and a presidential candidate. When he asked one of his flock, Billie Jean-King, what she wanted to do with her life, the adolescent teenager said, "be the best tennis player in the world".

Jim Valvano heard him speak as a teenager, and his inspirational speech is noted by Valvano in the 30 for 30 episode.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Richards

He was the first athlete to ever appear on a Wheaties Box.

He was also the first Wheaties spokesman, setting up the Wheaties Sports Foundation encouraging participation in Olympics sports.

[JaxRed]

Wow I just assumed he had already died. 97 wa sa good run.

[Kingspoint]

Wow I just assumed he had already died. 97 wa sa good run.

He won numerous awards for keeping himself fit early and late in life. He was a decathlete, too.

Would have loved to have met him.

[Roy Tucker]

I feel old. I remember him being on the Wheaties box back when we pestered our mom to buy Wheaties.