Bob Schul, the only American runner to win the 5,000 meters at the Olympics, dies at 86

By The Associated Press

Bob Schul, the only American distance runner to win gold in the 5,000 meters at the Olympics, has died. He was 86. His death on Sunday was announced by Miami University in Ohio, where Schul shined on the track and was inducted into the school’s hall of fame in 1973. No cause of death was given. Schul predicted gold leading into the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and followed through with his promise. On a rainy day in Japan, he finished the final lap in a blistering 54.8 seconds to sprint to the win. Schul was following the gold-medal lead of teammate Billy Mills, who won the 10,000 meters at the Tokyo Games.