U.S. Olympic track and field legend Ralph Boston died Sunday at the age of 83 following complications from a recent stroke, according to Mike Organ of The Tennessean.
Boston, born on May 9, 1939, in Laurel, Miss., rose to prominence ahead of the 1960 Olympics in Rome following a standout career at Tennessee State. During an Olympic tune-up meet in August 1960, Boston set the long jump world record with a leap of 26 feet and 11.25 inches, besting the mark set by the legendary Jesse Owens 25 years prior by three inches.
The following month, Boston went on to represent Team USA at the Games of the XVII Olympiad, where he a won gold medal after setting an Olympic record in the long jump with a leap of 26-7 1/2. In addition to his Olympic success, Boston also added an NCAA long jump championship that same year while at TSU, where he also excelled in the high jump, triple jump and hurdles events.
