Hal CONNOLLY

After winning the Olympic title in 1956, Connolly placed eighth in 1960, sixth in 1964, and in 1968 failed to qualify for the finals. In a 10-year span from 1956 to 1965, he raised the world record seven times, won a total of nine AAU hammer titles, won the AAU indoor 35-lb. weight throw three times, and won a silver medal in the 1959 Pan American Games hammer throw. Connolly graduated from Boston College and became a teacher in October 1957, he overcame oceans of political red tape to marry Olga Fikotová, the Czech Olympic discus champion, whom he had met at the 1956 Olympics. The best man at the wedding ceremony was Czech distance running hero, Emil Zátopek. The Connollys were divorced in 1975 and Hal Connolly later married Pat Winslow, U.S. Olympic pentathlete in 1960, 1964, and 1968. He later became supervisor of secondary education in Santa Monica and director of a health club.

Personal Bests: SP – 48-3¾ (14.72) (1951); HT – 233-9 (71.26) (1965).