by Rob Leachman So, who is the greatest men’s shot putter of all time? As a recap, this series was completed as an attempt to objectively determine if, as many assume, Ryan Crouser is in fact the GOAT in this track and field event. To complete this process, a set of criteria was identified that … Read more
by Rob Leachman Part Three – Ryan Crouser He knew it was a good one the instant he released it, triumphantly raising both arms in the air as he watched the shot land near the back edge of the Hayward Field throwing sector. As he later reflected, “I was celebrating on that one almost before … Read more
by Rob Leachman From the “Leading a Goal-Driven Life” Series -Part III- While I find their philosophy of life fascinating, and though there are occasions when such an approach seems less stressful and attractive, I have never understood the carefree approach to their future that some seem to follow. These good, adventurous folks seem to … Read more
by Rob Leachman Part Two – Parry O’Brien A two-time gold medalist, a three-time Olympic medalist, and a member of what at the time was an unprecedented four Olympic teams. The holder of sixteen world records in the shot put, including the first 60-foot throw, and an unprecedented winning streak of 116 competitions. And the … Read more
by Rob Leachman Part One – Randy Matson “Frankly, the event didn’t excite me too much,” Randy Matson offered regarding his first experience with the shot put. In his first track meet at the age of twelve, after winning the 50-yard dash, the 100-yard dash, the high jump, and the long jump, he could muster … Read more
by Rob Leachman In this series, the author takes a historic look at the men’s shot put in an effort to identify the greatest in the history of the event. With the recent meteoric rise of Ryan Crouser, Leachman uses a set of criteria to determine whether Crouser or the greatest shot putters of the … Read more
by Rob Leachman From the “Leading a Goal-Driven Life” Series -Part II- Have you ever experienced a time when you worked hard all day, pushed frantically from start to finish, and ended the day exhausted, but upon reflection realized you didn’t really accomplish much of importance for your efforts? There were times early in my … Read more
Five Athletes Linked by One Race by Rob Leachman From the “Great Rivalries of Olympic Track and Field” Series In the decades following their meeting on the Olympic track in Los Angeles, the five main characters in that fateful event, Slaney, Budd, and the three medalists, each in her own way lived a successful and … Read more
“Aftermath: Seeking a Return to Normal“ by Rob Leachman From the “Great Rivalries in Olympic Track and Field” Series In the hours and days following their momentous 3,000-meter clash, the experiences of Mary Decker and Zola Budd were vastly different. And under very different circumstances, each quickly headed for home. After being examined and receiving … Read more
“An Unlikely Rivalry” by Rob Leachman From the “Great Rivalries of Olympic Track and Field” Series While young Zola Budd was experiencing emotional turmoil as the Los Angeles Games approached, the more seasoned, two-time world champion Mary Decker was experiencing her own challenges. The “Double Decker” naturally increased expectations, with many American fans now hoping … Read more
