Dick Howard

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameRichard Wayne "Dick"•Howard
Used nameDick•Howard
Born22 August 1935 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (USA)
Died9 November 1967 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California (USA)
Measurements185 cm / 78 kg
AffiliationsUNM Lobos, Albuquerque (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

Dick Howard first took up track when in the service; after he had served his two years he ran the low hurdles for Compton College in 1957. The following season he placed fourth in the AAU 440y hurdles in June, after sustaining a serious back injury in an automobile accident in April. He then enrolled at the University of New Mexico and in 1959, Howard won the AAU and the NCAA, and finished second in the Pan-Am Games and in the meet against the USSR. In the pre-Olympic meets in 1960, he finished second to Glenn Davis at both the AAU and the Final Trials and, although he brought his career best down to 49.7 at the Rome Games, he was beaten not only by Davis but also Cliff Cushman. Cushman and Howard both met tragic ends – Cushman was killed in Vietnam and Howard died from a heroin overdose. He had earlier served part of a 7-year sentence on drug charges.

Personal Bests: 440y – 47.4 (1959); 120yH – 14.2 (1960); 400H – 49.90 (1960).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1960 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Dick Howard
400 metres Hurdles, Men (Olympic) 3 Bronze

Special Notes