American shot putter who won a bronze medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics and set multiple national records in the shot put event. He was also a victim of a tragic murder in 2009.
Dave Laut, an American shot putter, is best known for his remarkable athletic career, which spanned over two decades and earned him numerous accolades, including a bronze medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
A dominant force in the shot put event, Laut's impressive resume includes gold medals at the 1979 Pan American Games and the 1981 IAAF World Cup, as well as four United States championships in 1979, 1981, 1983, and 1985.
Born on December 21, 1956, in Findlay, Ohio, Laut grew up in Oxnard, California, where he developed a passion for athletics. He attended Art Haycox Elementary School, E. O. Green Junior High School, Santa Clara High School, Moorpark College, and San Jose City College, before finally graduating from UCLA.
Laut's athletic career was marked by numerous achievements, including his personal best throw of 22.02 meters, achieved in August 1982 in Koblenz, Germany. He was ranked No. 1 shot putter in the United States and No. 7 in the world in 1985.
In addition to his Olympic bronze medal, Laut won several national championships and represented the United States at various international competitions, including the Pan American Games and the IAAF World Cup.
After retiring from professional athletics, Laut transitioned to coaching, serving as an assistant track coach at Ventura College in 1994. He later became the track coach for Hueneme High School in the Oxnard Union High School District, a position he held for eight seasons before being promoted to athletic director in 2008.
Laut's life was cut short on August 27, 2009, when he was tragically shot and killed at his home in Oxnard, California. He was just 52 years old. His wife, Jane, was later convicted of first-degree murder, claiming self-defense.
Despite his untimely death, Laut's legacy lives on through his contributions to the sport of shot put and his impact on the lives of the athletes he coached. He will always be remembered as a champion, a dedicated coach, and a devoted husband and father.
90 Years Old
A British athlete who won a bronze medal in the long jump at the 1908 Summer Olympics, setting a new British record. He was a pioneer in the sport, helping to establish it in the UK.
89 Years Old
Four-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in the discus throw, dominating the sport from 1956 to 1968.
