This Day in Track & Field, August 14, Ralph Rose wins AAU title in the shot put (1909), Mark Plaatjes wins WC Marathon (1993), by Walt Murphy

This Day in Track & Field–August 14

1909–American Ralph Rose won the AAU title in the Shot Put with a (pre-IAAF) World Record toss of 50-3  1/8 (15.31?).

WR Progression: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men’s_shot_put_world_record_progression

1949–Fortune Gordien raised his American and World Records in the Discus to 186-11 (56.97) in Hämeenlinna, Finland.

WR Progression: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men’s_discus_world_record_progression

1953—Mal Whitfield ran 1:48.0 in Copenhagen to break his own American Record of 1:48.6 in the 800.

1982—Dave Volz vaulted 18-10  ¼ (5.75) in Nice to break his own American Record of 18-9  ½ (5.73)

1983—It was a busy schedule on the final day of action at the inaugural World Championships in Helsinki.

Eamonn Coghlan had become a legend on the U.S. indoor circuit, but had suffered much criticism back home in Ireland after finishing 4th in the 1500-meters at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal and 4th in the 5000 at the 1980 Games in Moscow. But all was forgiven after he won the 5000 meters here in Helsinki.

            Intent on doing well at the last two Olympics, Coghlan stayed away from the pageantry of the Opening Ceremony. But he was determined to enjoy his experience at the inaugural World Championships and proudly served as the flag-bearer as the Irish team marched in the parade of nations in Helsinki.

            Coghlan had gone through some tough times leading up to the Worlds. Jumbo Elliott, his coach at Villanova, passed away in 1981, and Gerry Farnan, his long-time coach in Ireland, died a year later. Injuries kept him out of action for all of 1982, and then, in February, 1983, his father, who came from Ireland to be with his son for the U.S. indoor season, died in his sleep at Coghlan’s home in Rye,NY.

            Fully recovered from his 1982 injuries, Coghlan entered 1983 in great form, as evidenced by his 3:49.78 indoor mile record at the Meadowlands. But his last race before Helsinki left him filled with doubt. Weakened by a cold, he finished 4th in a high-profile mile that was won by Steve Scott over Sebastian Coe.

            As he returned home to Dublin, he worried that he wouldn’t be at full strength for the Worlds, where he would step up to the 5000. For the first time, he visited the grave of Farnan, the man who always knew the right thing to say to get him motivated for his next race….