From: RT sad news.
-------------------- Ex-Olympic Champion Davenport Dies -------------------- By Associated Press June 18, 2002, 7:06 PM EDT CHICAGO -- Willie Davenport, who won the gold medal in the 110-meter hurdles in 1968 and competed in a total of five Olympics, died of a heart attack after collapsing at O'Hare International Airport, the Cook County medical examiner's office said Tuesday. The 59-year-old Davenport was changing planes Monday when he collapsed. He was pronounced dead at Resurrection Medical Center, said a spokesman who would not give his name. Davenport equaled the Olympic record when he ran the hurdles in 13.3 seconds at Mexico City. He won a bronze in the event at the 1976 Games. He also was a Summer Olympian in 1964 and 1972, but failed to medal at either competition. In 1980, Davenport was a member of the U.S. four-man bobsled team that finished 12th at the Winter Olympics. That made him one of the eight Americans to compete in both the Summer and Winter Games. Davenport and Jeff Gadley were the first black Olympic bobsledders. The medical center spokesman said Davenport was a colonel in the National Guard. He apparently was on National Guard business in Boise, Idaho, and was returning to New Orleans when he collapsed. The spokesman said plans were being made Tuesday to transport the body to Davenport's home in New Orleans. Davenport was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1982 and to the Olympic Hall of Fame eight years later. After retiring from the sport, he became an officer in the Army. An Army private in 1964, Davenport was the surprise winner in the 110-meter hurdles at the Olympic trials and suddenly became the favorite for the gold medal. But a thigh injury hampered him, and Davenport lost in the semifinals. Davenport was the national champion in the event the next three years, and his Olympic gold medal in 1968 was earned in what he considered a perfect race. "From the first step, the gun, I knew I had won the race," he said. "It was perhaps the only race I ever ran that way, but that first step was so perfect, right on the money." But his best discipline might have been the 60-yard hurdles, an indoor event not part of the Olympic program. Davenport was national champion in that event five times, 1966, 1967 and 1969-71. The 1968 Olympic team in Mexico City, was described by Craig Masback, executive director of U.S. Track and Field, as "the greatest track team in history." Beside Davenport, it included Bob Beamon, Lee Evans, Jim Hines, Wyomia Tyus, Bob Seagren, Tommie Smith and John Carlos. Davenport, born in Troy, Ala., also was a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Davenport and fellow track star Rodney Milburn were coached by the charismatic Dr. Richard A. Hill at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Ala. Information on survivors and services wasn't available Tuesday. Copyright (c) 2002, The Associated Press -------------------- This article originally appeared at: http://www.newsday.com/sports/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-oly-obit-davenport0618jun18.story Visit Newsday online at http://www.newsday.com
