Ollan Cassell
Encyclopedia
Ollan Conn Cassell (born October 5, 1937) was an American
sprinter
in the 1950s and 1960s, winning a gold medal in the men's 4x400 m relay
at the 1964 Summer Olympics
. In his early 30s, Cassell later became the executive director of the Amateur Athletic Union
(AAU).
Cassell was born in Nickelsville, Virginia
. He graduated from Appalachia High School
in Appalachia, Virginia
.
Cassell won his first AAU championship title in 1957 in 220 yd (201.2 m).
Cassell took up the quarter-mile when attending to University of Houston
. In 1962, he won gold medals in the 400 m and 4x400 m relay and a silver medal in the 4x100 m relay at the World Military Championships. The following year, at the 1963 Pan American Games
, Cassell won two gold medals in the relays and was second in 200 m and sixth in 100 m.
At the Tokyo
Olympics
, Cassell was a semifinalist in 400 m and ran the opening leg in the American 4x400 m relay team, which won the gold medal with a new world record
of 3:00.7.
Cassell won his second (and last) AAU title in 440 yd (402.3 m) in 1965. After that, he retired from sports and started to work as the track and field administrator of the AAU 1965–1972. He was an Executive Director of the AAU 1970–1980 and Executive Director of USA Track and Field 1980–1997. He also was a founding member of the International Athletics Foundation that was created in 1988 and served as vice-president of the International Amateur Athletics Foundation
(IAAF) 1976–1986.
He was elected to the United States National Track and Field Hall of Fame
as a contributor in 2006.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sprinter
Sprint (race)
Sprints are short running events in athletics and track and field. Races over short distances are among the oldest running competitions. The first 13 editions of the Ancient Olympic Games featured only one event—the stadion race, which was a race from one end of the stadium to the other...
in the 1950s and 1960s, winning a gold medal in the men's 4x400 m relay
Relay race
During a relay race, members of a team take turns running, orienteering, swimming, cross-country skiing, biathlon, or ice skating parts of a circuit or performing a certain action. Relay races take the form of professional races and amateur games...
at the 1964 Summer Olympics
1964 Summer Olympics
The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
. In his early 30s, Cassell later became the executive director of the Amateur Athletic Union
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
(AAU).
Cassell was born in Nickelsville, Virginia
Nickelsville, Virginia
Nickelsville is a town in Scott County, Virginia, United States. The population was 383 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Kingsport–Bristol –Bristol Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical...
. He graduated from Appalachia High School
Appalachia High School
Appalachia High School, located in Appalachia, Virginia is part of Wise County Public Schools. Appalachia High educates approximately 350 students ranging from 8th through 12th grades. Appalachia High School was awarded a Bronze Medal in US News & World Report's 2009 Best High Schools. Applachia...
in Appalachia, Virginia
Appalachia, Virginia
Appalachia is a town in Wise County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,839 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Appalachia is located at ....
.
Cassell won his first AAU championship title in 1957 in 220 yd (201.2 m).
Cassell took up the quarter-mile when attending to University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
. In 1962, he won gold medals in the 400 m and 4x400 m relay and a silver medal in the 4x100 m relay at the World Military Championships. The following year, at the 1963 Pan American Games
1963 Pan American Games
The 4th Pan American Games were held from April 20 to May 5, 1963 in São Paulo, Brazil.- Medal count :To sort this table by nation, total medal count, or any other column, click on the icon next to the column title.Note...
, Cassell won two gold medals in the relays and was second in 200 m and sixth in 100 m.
At the Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
Olympics
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
, Cassell was a semifinalist in 400 m and ran the opening leg in the American 4x400 m relay team, which won the gold medal with a new world record
World record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
of 3:00.7.
Cassell won his second (and last) AAU title in 440 yd (402.3 m) in 1965. After that, he retired from sports and started to work as the track and field administrator of the AAU 1965–1972. He was an Executive Director of the AAU 1970–1980 and Executive Director of USA Track and Field 1980–1997. He also was a founding member of the International Athletics Foundation that was created in 1988 and served as vice-president of the International Amateur Athletics Foundation
International Association of Athletics Federations
The International Association of Athletics Federations is the international governing body for the sport of athletics. It was founded in 1912 at its first congress in Stockholm, Sweden by representatives from 17 national athletics federations as the International Amateur Athletics Federation...
(IAAF) 1976–1986.
He was elected to the United States National Track and Field Hall of Fame
National Track and Field Hall of Fame
The National Track and Field Hall of Fame located within the Armory Foundation at 216 Fort Washington Avenue, between 168th and 169th Streets, in Washington Heights, in the New York City borough of Manhattan, is a museum operated by The Armory Foundation in conjunction with USA Track & Field...
as a contributor in 2006.