John Powell (athlete)

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Medal record
John Powell (athlete)
Men's Athletics
Competitor for the  United States
Olympic Games
Bronze	1976 Montreal	Discus
Bronze	1984 Los Angeles	Discus
World Championships
Silver	1987 Rome	Discus

John Gates Powell (born June 25, 1947 in San Francisco) is a former American athlete. John Powell set the 1975 world record (69.08) in the discus throw, his personal best, set later, is 72.08 m in 1984. It puts him eighth in the all-time performers list.

Nicknamed “Roadrunner” in his elite days for his speedy motion across the ring, he took fourth at the 1972 Summer Olympics, bronze at 1976 Montreal and made the doomed U.S. team to Moscow in 1980 before again taking bronze at Los Angeles in 1984. The 1987 meets appear to have been his swan songs on the international level – and he was banned from competition after taking part in a renegade tour to South Africa.

Powell currently runs several yearly throwing camps with fellow Olympian throwers.

[edit] Achievements

• Fourth with 62.82 in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich
• First with 62.37 in the 1975 Pan American Games
• Third with 65.70 in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal
• Third with 65.46 in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles
• Second with 66.22 in the 1987 World Championships in Athletics in Rome

John Powell is a seven time US-champion in Discus throw in 1974, 1975, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987

Records
Preceded by John van Reenen	Men's Discus World Record Holder May 3, 1975 – April 24, 1976	Succeeded by Mac Wilkins