Ralph Doubell

Ralph Doubell had a relatively short international athletics career, but managed to reach his peak at just the right time and place: an Olympic final. A graduate of the University of Melbourne in zoology and psychology, Doubell’s first major international victory in the 800 m was at the 1967 World Student Games. In 1968, however, his performance was severely curtailed by Achilles' tendon injuries and he was unable to compete for six months prior to the Mexican Olympics. In Mexico the overwhelming favorite in the Olympic 800 final was Wilson Kiprugut of Kenya who led the field through 400 m in 51.0 and was still leading at the home turn when Doubell made his move, passing Kiprugut down the straight to win gold and equal the world record of 1:44.3. Those Olympics also were Doubell’s last international tournament, as the rest of his career was hampered by injuries. He had planned to compete at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, but was prevented by calf injuries, which hastened his retirement. Domestically, Doubell won five Australian titles: in 1965-67 and 1969-70 in the 800/880. After retirement from sports he attended Harvard Business School and later worked as a Head of Relationship Management and a Director and Divisional Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking of the Deutsche Bank Group in Australia. He was also a Director of Telstra Stadium in Sydney until 2007.

Personal Best: 800 – 1:44.40 (1968).