Lee Roy, Jr. JAMES

Lee James was the top American hope for a weightlifting medal at the 1976 Olympics, but he was still given only a slim chance. He came through with the best total of his life (by 7.5 kg.) to capture a silver medal behind one of the greatest lifters of his era, David Rigert of the USSR. James had won only one previous national title, in 1976, but also won a gold medal at the 1975 Pan-American Games.