Oliver Ford

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Oliver Ford (born 27 March 1947) is a retired sprinter who jointly held the 100 metres world record with six other men in 1968, at 10.0s. He matched the then-record in the semi-finals of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics track and field championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico and won the final with a time of 10.1s.[1]

He studied at Southern University, where he was coached by Richard A. Hill,[2] and normally ran 220 yards and 440 yards.[1] After his record run he planned to try for the Olympics,[3] but was ill for the Olympics trials in July 1968,[4] though he was selected to compete at the final selection in Echo Summit that September.[5] He won both the 100-yard dash (in 9.5s) and the 220 yard dash (in 20.5s) at the 1969 NAIA championships in Billings, Montana, where he was named outstanding athlete.[6]

In 1999, he was inducted into the Southern University Hall of Fame.[7][8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Ford Revs Up In 100 Meters". Toledo Blade. 1 June 1968. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  2. ^ "Dr. Richard A. Hill". Sports Hall of Fame. Yonkers. 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  3. ^ "S.U. Sprinter Ties Records". The Owosso Argus-Press. 28 May 1968. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Reasonable at last". Tri City Herald. 26 June 1968. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  5. ^ "Athletes Grumbling Over Way Olympic Team Picked". Tri City Herald. 2 July 1968. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  6. ^ "Prairie View Wins NAIA Title". The Modesto Bee. 8 June 1969. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  7. ^ "Southern University Sports Hall of Fame". Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  8. ^ Robins, Thurman (July 25, 2014). Aspire, Act, Achieve. ISBN 978-1496926869. Retrieved June 25, 2017.