Don Laz

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameDonald Robert "Don"•Laz
Used nameDon•Laz
Born17 May 1929 in Chicago, Illinois (USA)
Died21 February 1996 in Champaign, Illinois (USA)
Measurements188 cm / 82 kg
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Don Laz of the University of Illinois won the NCAA pole vault in 1951 and tied George Mattos for the 1953 AAU title. These were his only major championship honors, but he came desperately close to winning the 1952 Olympic gold medal as Bob Richards cleared the winning height on his final attempt to eliminate the need for a jump-off. At the Ohio Relays in 1954, Laz cleared 15-2 (4.62) to become the second-best vaulter of all time, behind only the legendary Dutch Warmerdam. However, the family record now stands to the credit of his son, Doug, who cleared 17-4¾ (5.38) in 1976. At the 1955 Pan American Games pole vault Don Laz won a bronze medal. In 1960, Laz sued CBS and the Ford Motor Co. for invasion of privacy after a film of him vaulting had been used in a TV commercial. The case was eventually settled out of court. Don Laz became an architect in Champaign, Illinois, but his career was tragically handicapped when he suffered a stroke.

Personal Best: PV – 4.65i (1952).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1952 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Don Laz
Pole Vault, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver

Special Notes