Ron Freeman

Ron Freeman’s 43.2 lap on the second leg of the 1,600m relay in Mexico was the fastest 400m that had ever been run. Taking over the baton three meters down on Nyamau of Kenya, he put the U.S. into a 20-meter lead and on their way to a new world record of 2:56.16 – which stood until 1988. In the individual 400m, Freeman, from Arizona State, took the bronze in 44.40 which was the fourth fastest 400m of all time. But he never won a major championship and never again matched the form he had shown in Mexico City.

Personal Bests: 220y – 21.2 (1963); 400 – 44.41 (1968); 880y – 1:50.4 (1968).