Hal Connolly

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameHarold Vincent "Hal"•Connolly
Used nameHal•Connolly
Born1 August 1931 in Somerville, Massachusetts (USA)
Died18 August 2010 in Catonsville, Maryland (USA)
Measurements183 cm / 106 kg
AffiliationsSouthern California Striders, Anaheim (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

After winning the Olympic title in 1956, Connolly placed eighth in 1960, sixth in 1964, and in 1968 failed to qualify for the finals. In a 10-year span from 1956 to 1965, he raised the world record seven times, won a total of nine AAU hammer titles, won the AAU indoor 35-lb. weight throw three times, and won a silver medal in the 1959 Pan American Games hammer throw. Connolly graduated from Boston College and became a teacher in October 1957, he overcame oceans of political red tape to marry Olga Fikotová, the Czech Olympic discus champion, whom he had met at the 1956 Olympics. The best man at the wedding ceremony was Czech distance running hero, Emil Zátopek. The Connollys were divorced in 1975 and Hal Connolly later married Pat Winslow, U.S. Olympic pentathlete in 1960, 1964, and 1968. He later became supervisor of secondary education in Santa Monica and director of a health club.

Personal Bests: SP – 48-3¾ (14.72) (1951); HT – 233-9 (71.26) (1965).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1956 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Hal Connolly
Hammer Throw, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
1960 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Hal Connolly
Hammer Throw, Men (Olympic) 8
1964 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Hal Connolly
Hammer Throw, Men (Olympic) 6
1968 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Hal Connolly
Hammer Throw, Men (Olympic) 17 r1/2

Olympic family relations

Special Notes