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| Born | October 5, 1942 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Ronald Howard "Ron" Whitney (born October 5, 1942 in Modesto, California) is a retired American hurdler and middle-distance runner. Known for his fast finish, he finished in 6th place in the 400 metre hurdles at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico as David Hemery demolished the world record.[1] He had entered the race as one of the favorites,[2] having been ranked #1 in the world in 1967 [3] and winning the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the event for the second time earlier that year.[4] In the Olympics, his first heat victory established a new Olympic record, only to be surpassed by Hemery 2 days later.[5]
Previously he had been the Pan American Games champion in the same event.[6] While working on his Masters Degree at Colorado State University, he was the 1967 Gold Medalist at the World University Games. He also had won Bronze two years earlier[7] and while competing for Occidental College, where he was coached by Jim Bush, was runner up at the NCAA Championships in 1963.
At Thomas Downey High School in Modesto, California, Whitney was the champion at the 1960 Golden West Invitational, the equivalent of a national champion, at 800 metres[8] a week after finishing 4th in the CIF California State Meet in the same event.[9]
Whitney continued to compete into Masters age groups as a pioneer of Masters athletics.[10]
Whitney continues to be involved in the sport as head Track and Field Coach at Santa Rosa Junior College.[11] He is a member of the Mt. SAC Relays Hall of Fame and the Occidental College Hall of Fame.[12]
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