“We’ll really miss him”
1972 Olympic silver medalist dies – sports greats send condolences
January 4, 2025 – 12:47 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The former American hurdler Ralph Mann is dead. Numerous sports greats mourn the loss of the 1972 Olympic silver medalist.
At the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972, Ralph Mann came second in the 400 meter hurdles. He reached the finish line after an electronically timed time of 48.51 seconds. Now the former athlete died on January 2nd at the age of 75. His family announced this on Instagram. His son Randall said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father, Ralph Vernon Mann, who passed away on January 2nd from pancreatic cancer.”
Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah also announced the death of the former competitive athlete and alumni and wrote in a black and white photo on Instagram: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Mann family.”
Mann also became a three-time NCAA champion during his playing days. Underneath the university’s post, a user wrote on Instagram: “We will miss him forever.” Another person said: “I saw this guy in a track meet years ago. He was incredible. He dominated in several events.”
BYU athletics director Ed Eyestone said of Mann’s death: “Ralph Mann is a true legend of BYU athletics. He was an outstanding competitor. He helped establish BYU as a power in athletics and his name is has been synonymous with greatness for our athletes for over 50 years.”
Mann also had a doctorate in biomechanics and continued to work with athletes for his research after his playing days, wanting to improve the athletes. Also with Olympic sprint champion Noah Lyles. He posted a photo of himself and his husband in his story on Instagram.
The German sprinter Gina Brückenkemper, who like Lyles trains under Lance Brauman, also wrote in a post by “Citiusmag”: “Rest in peace.” Four-time Olympic hurdles champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone also wrote: “Ralph influenced so many people on and off the track. We will truly miss him.” Three-time Olympic champion Gabby Thomas also posted praying hands on the news of her death.