Toomey has been keeping his flame for Games lit / Gold medalist works to maintain spirit

• Published in: The gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
• Main Authors: Spence, Mike, Gazette Telegraph
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colorado Springs, Colo Freedom Newspapers, Inc 08.06.1991
• Subjects: Olympic games

It was as a frustrated, but interested spectator at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo that [Bill Toomey], a future Olympic gold medalist, realized the scope of the movement. Toomey's talent and desire propelled him to a gold medal in the decathlon at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. He became one of the marquee names on a U.S. track team that many still regard as the finest ever. It included Bob Beamon, whose long jump of 29 feet, 2 1/2 inches at the Games remains the longest-standing world record in track and field. Lee Evans set a 400-meter world record in Mexico City that wasn't broken until 1988. Toomey also suggested that athletes be represented in the USOC decision-making process. What was then a controversial idea is followed passionately by the USOC today. Athletes comprise 20 percent of all committees and voting bodies.