JANIS LUSIS (Born Jelga, Latvia, USSR. 19th of May 1939)
1,80/5’11/90kg.
JAVELIN
His achievements included Olympics 1964: Bronze in Tokyo, 1968 Gold in Mexico City, 1972 Silver in Munich.
European Championship winner 4 times 1962, 66, 69, and 71.
Was he inspired by any particular Champion?
“After taking first place in a Schoolboy Championships of the Soviet Union in Riga, I talked with a man called Krouze, who was at that time Champion of the Latvian Republic for throwing the javelin and, he said “You will never be a good javelin thrower, and this made me determined to prove him wrong and in only 2 years after that, I was throwing much further than him as he threw 223 feet. He was my coach, but I then started with another coach and his name was Valentin Mazzalitis. It was after I was a student at secondary school He said I should continue throwing and concentrate a lot less on the long jump”
(Janis did 7483 for the decathlon and his best javelin mark was 93.80)
AL OERTER (Born Astoria, New York, 19th of September, 1936).6/3, 192 cm 125Kg)
DISCUS
(Olympic Champion 1956 Melbourne; 1960 Rome; 1964 Tokyo; 1968 Mexico.) 4th in the Amercan Trials of 1980 and Was an M40 and M50 World Veteran Champion. He was the first man to throw over 200feet. His best was (at 43). And that was 227 feet/69.46. but it should be noted his first World record throw was in 1962! {1958 he did 17,37 for SP)
What was one of his most satisfying performances?
“ It was a little competition in Massachusetts where I was travelling with a friend, We saw a sign posted pointing to a Highschool field, announcing that there would be a track and field meet there, and those wishing to compete should show up at 6’o’clock.The entry fee would be 50 Cents. Somebody loaned me a discus, and I just happened to have some jogging shoes with me. I used them and won the competition with something approaching 181 feet (About 55metres) I won a little trophy with my 50 Cents, and it was one of the most satisfying feelings I have ever had. I really felt at last I knew what track and field was all about the whole thing just happened’ It made me realize the Olympics were not the be-all and end-all any longer. I really enjoyed an evening of competing with a gathering of people who wanted to throw as far as possible in the competition. And at the same time try to encourage each other to throw further. It was the kind of environment I totally enjoyed”