A three-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder in middle-distance running, known for his dominance in the 1960s and his iconic victories in the 800m and 1500m events.
Known as the only man since 1920 to have won the 800 and 1500 meters at the same Olympics, Peter Snell is a New Zealand middle-distance running legend who dominated the track in the 1960s. With three Olympic gold medals and two Commonwealth Games gold medals, Snell's impressive career earned him the title of New Zealand's Sports Champion of the 20th Century.
Born on December 17, 1938, in Ōpūnake, Snell moved to Waikato with his family in 1949 and attended Te Aroha College. He became an all-around sportsman, excelling in various sports including rugby union, cricket, tennis, badminton, and golf. However, it was his encounter with coach Arthur Lydiard that motivated him to focus on running at the age of 19.
Under Lydiard's tutelage, Snell started to make a name for himself in New Zealand, winning titles and setting records for 880 yards and the mile. His unusual size and powerful build made him a standout in the middle-distance running scene. His hard work and determination paid off when he won the gold medal in the 800 meters at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Snell's Olympic success continued at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where he won gold medals in both the 800 and 1500 meters. He also set multiple world records throughout his career, cementing his status as one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time.
In recognition of his achievements, Snell was voted New Zealand's Sports Champion of the 20th Century and was one of the 24 inaugural members of the International Association of Athletics Federations Hall of Fame in 2012. He also received the Olympic Order in 1988 and was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002.
Snell retired from competitive athletics in 1965 and went on to pursue a career in exercise physiology. He moved to the United States and worked as a researcher, publishing numerous papers on exercise and sports science. Snell passed away on December 12, 2019, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations of athletes and sports enthusiasts.
85 Years Old
A British chemist and academic who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1997 for his work on the mechanism of ATP synthase, a crucial enzyme that generates energy in cells.
78 Years Old
A renowned middle- and long-distance runner who won Olympic silver and represented his country in multiple international competitions, later transitioning to politics as a city councilor.
70 Years Old
A four-time Olympic medalist and winner of the 1984 Boston Marathon, known for her impressive long-distance running career and advocacy for women's athletics.
