Frank Shorter
|
|
Frank Shorter (born October 31, 1947) is a former American athlete and winner of the marathon race at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Born in Munich, Germany, where his father served in the army, Frank Shorter attended Mount Hermon School. He first achieved fame by winning the 1969 NCAA 10 000 m title as a Yale student. He won his first national title in 1970 in the 5000 m. In 1971, 1974, 1975 and 1977 he won the national 10 000 m title and from 1970 to 1973 he won the national cross-country championships. He also won both the 10 000 m and the marathon at the 1971 Pan American Games.
But his greatest fame came when Shorter won the gold medal at the 1972 Olympics held in his home town. He also finished fifth in the Olympic 10 000 m final. Shorter earned his law degree in 1975 but failed to defend his Olympic Champion title, finishing second behind surprise winner Waldemar Cierpinski of East Germany at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Shorter decided to retire from athletics after the next season and started his own athletic supply company. He also worked in television as a sports commentator.
Shorter is former Chairman of the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
| Olympic medalists in athletics (men) | Olympic Champions in Men's Marathon |
| Spiridon Louis | Michel Théato | Thomas J. Hicks | William Sherring | Johnny Hayes | Kenneth McArthur | Hannes Kolehmainen | Albin Stenroos | Boughera El Ouafi | Juan Carlos Zabala | Sohn Kee-chung | Delfo Cabrera | Emil Zátopek | Alain Mimoun | Abebe Bikila (twice) | Mamo Wolde | Frank Shorter | Waldemar Cierpinski (twice) | Carlos Lopes | Gelindo Bordin | Hwang Young-Cho | Josia Thugwane | Gezahegne Abera | Stefano Baldini |