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Olympian who overcame the odds to win gold

Olympian who overcame the odds to win gold

The death has taken place of Harold Connolly who overcame physical problems to win a gold medal in the 1956 Olympics.

Mr. Connolly, who was 79, died in United States following a fall.

His success in the hammer throw at the Melbourne Olympics was achieved despite him having what what was regarded as a withered left arm. His arm had been injured at birth and as a result it was almost five inches shorter than the right.

It was while studying at Boston College that the young Connolly was encouraged to take up the hammer throw. He had been training as a shot putter, but coaches soon spotted that that when he threw back hammers for his fellow athletes they travelled a tremendous distance.

While competing in Melbourne he met the Czech discuss champion Olga Fikotova. A romance blossomed and they were married the following year.

They divorced in 1974. Mr. Connolly then married Pat Daniels, who was an Olympic runner and pentathlete.

He was elected to the U.S. National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1984.

 

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