John Pennel

John Thomas Pennel ( born July 25, 1940 in Memphis, Tennessee; † September 26, 1993 in Santa Monica, California ) was an American athlete who scored in the sixties of the 20th century, a world leader in the pole vault. He improved the world record several times.

The 1.78 m wide and 75 kg hobby musician (saxophone ) studied at the Northeast State College in Monroe, Louisiana journalism and sports. Prior to joining the pole vault, he had already tried to be a boxer, swimmer and long jumper. In 1965 he won his only U.S. Championship ( 5.18 m ) and was awarded the Sullivan Award. In 1970, he was with skipped 5.33 m as the best American sixth of the global leaderboard.

Pennel died at the age of 53 years to cancer. He left behind five children. His son Shawn also tried his hand as pole-vaulters, this sport but gave up because he could not withstand the pressure of expectation, which he was exposed as a result of strong external resemblance to his father. John Pennel was added posthumously inducted into the Track & Field Hall of Fame of the United States in 2004.

World Records

  • 4.95 m on 24 March 1963 in Memphis
  • 4.97 m on 11 April 1963 in Natchitoches
  • 5.04 m on 30 April 1963 in Monroe
  • 5.10 m on 13 July 1963 in London
  • 5.13 m on 5 August 1963 in London
  • 5.20 m on August 24, 1963 in Miami ( After successful trials over 4.57 m and 4.90 m in height, he took that 2nd try)
  • 5.34 m on July 23, 1966 in Los Angeles
  • 5.44 m on July 21, 1969 in Sacramento

Olympic games

  • XVIII. ( Skipped 4.80 m and at 4.85 m failed ) Eleventh 4.70 m: Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964
  • XIX. Olympic Summer Games 1968 in Mexico City: Fifth with 5.35 m ( for all the three medal winners listed 5.40m although he had also skipped, but the bar fell through at the bar, which was seen by the then rules as a failed attempt )
Memphis (Tennessee) University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe (Louisiana) Natchitoches (Louisiana) Sacramento, California 1964 Summer Olympics
447668
de