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Four-time European javelin champion Lusis dies at the age of 80

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European Athletics is very saddened to hear that Latvian javelin thrower Janis Lusis died on Wednesday (29) at the age of 80.

Lusis won four successive European titles for the Soviet Union between 1962 and 1971 as well as a full set of Olympic medals. After winning bronze in Tokyo 1964, Lusis improved to gold in Mexico City in 1968 when he set an Olympic record of 90.10m.

Lusis very nearly successfully defended his Olympic title in Munich four years later but his sixth round throw of 90.46m fell just two centimetres short of the lead which was held by home favourite Klaus Wolfermann from West Germany. This remains the closest Olympic javelin final in history.

Lusis also set two world records with the old specification javelin: 91.98m in Saarijarvi, Finland in 1968 and 93.80m in Stockholm in 1972, becoming the first athlete to break the 93 metre-line.

After retiring from international competition after the 1976 Olympics, Lusis remained deeply involved in the sport as an official and coach. His impact in sport was recognised at the 2009 Latvian Sports Personality of the Year ceremony where he received the Lifetime Contribution to Sport award.

Lusis married his wife Elvira Ozolina, the Olympic javelin champion in Rome 1960, in 1969 and their son Voldemars competed for Latvia at both the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. He also carried the flag for Latvia at the Opening Ceremony in 2000.




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