CHICAGO (AP) - 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,
Ron Freeman, 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.
Willie Davenport: June 8, 1943 —
June 17, 2002