Harold Connolly

American Olympic champion & world record holder in hammer throw. 

Began hammer throwing to strengthen his arm while playing college football. Won first US title in 1955, contested in Melbourne as world record holder. Secured 1956 Olympic title with by only 16 cm from Soviet rival. Marked first-ever 70m throw in athletics history in 1960. Broke world record six times and hold it from 1956 to 1965.

Connolly attended three more Olympics until 1968, but did not win any other medal.

TRIVIA
♦ His frame: 1.83m/106 kg
♦ Married Czech discus thrower Olga Fikotova, his best man at wedding ceremony in Prag was Emil Zatopek. Divorced in 1976.
♦ Second wife was Pat Winslow, another Olympian.
♦ Sons, Jim and Adam, both National level hammer throwers.
♦ Run informative website hammerthrow.org
♦ His left arm 10 cm short than right one, because of it was broken several times during playing football.