Bill Nieder

While at Kansas, Bill Nieder won the 1955 NCAA title and the following season he became the second man in history to better 60 feet. The first man across that barrier was Parry O’Brien, and it was O’Brien who beat Nieder at the 1956 Olympics. Nieder won his only AAU title in 1956 and, although often troubled by a knee injury, he was at his best in 1960 when he improved the world record three times, leaving it at 65-10 (20.06) – history’s first 20-metre put, and took the Olympic gold medal, having turned the tables on silver medalist O’Brien. Nieder was fortunate to make the 1960 Olympic team – he qualified only fourth, but was advanced to the team when alternate Dave Davis dropped out with an injury.

Soon after the Rome Olympics, Bill Nieder launched a pro boxing career. It lasted one round – he was knocked out quickly in his only fight. Nieder later became an executive with the Marathon Engineering Corporation and also worked with 3M, helping them develop synthetic athletic fields.

Personal Bests: SP – 65-10 (20.06) (1960); DT – 150-0 (45.72) (1955).