Full name Cyrus J. Young, Jr. Name Cy Young | Role Olympic athlete | |
Born July 23, 1928 (age 95) ( 1928-07-23 ) Modesto, California, U.S. Education University of California, Los Angeles Olympic medals Athletics at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Men's javelin throw | ||
Cy C Young (born July 23, 1928 in Modesto, California) is an American former athlete who competed mainly in the javelin throw. A graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), he was the first non-European man to win the gold medal in the javelin throw in the Olympics in 1952, and – through the 2012 London Olympics – he remains the only American male to earn Olympic gold in the event.
Young dabbled in the javelin in junior college and started throwing seriously after entering UCLA in 1948; in 1950 he placed second behind Bud Held at the NCAA championships. Young graduated from UCLA in 1951. In 1952 he set a new U.S. record of 256 feet 4 inches (78.13 meters) in the javelin.
Young competed in the javelin throw for the U.S. at the 1952 Summer Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland where he won the gold medal.
Young continued to throw during his mid-20s and four years later prepared to defend his Olympic title. In April 1956, Young had the best throw of his career with 259-8½ (79.16m). Later in the season, he won his only AAU championship. Because the Olympics were being in held in the Southern hemisphere – where the seasons are "reversed" in comparison to America and Europe – the Summer Games were delayed until late November, which was months after the track & field outdoor season typically ended. A few months before the Melbourne Games, Poland’s Janusz Sidło – the 1954 European Champion – pushed the javelin world record out to 83.66 (274-5¾). Nonetheless, Young headed to Melbourne, Australia as one of the favorites. Three days before the competition he twisted an ankle which caused him pain as he "planted" his leg to release his throw.
There were 21 throwers from 12 nations entered in the morning qualifying round on Monday November 26. The qualifying distance was set at 66 meters- anyone who threw 66 metres (216 feet 6 inches) or better automatically advanced to the Finals.
Cy Young was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998.