George Young- No respect

I'd say, for the most part, fans on this board aren't familiar w/Young's era. They're too young (pun intended). George was a 4-time Olympian, member of 3 Halls of Fame now, RRCA, USATF and Distance Running. That's some high praise and very cool recognition on several fronts. He medaled in the '68 Mexico City Olympics in the steeple AT ALTITUDE and returned to run the marathon.

As others have noted on a diff thread, GY may've been the oldest guy to break 4 in the mile for the first time at age 34. I remember watching him do it on tv. He was capable of giving Pre all he could handle over 5000m. He turned to community college coaching later in AZ I believe.

His longevity and range of events at the top reminds of Brian Diemer and puts him in rare company. That he carved out so much great running at a time when running wasn't BIG SPORT like it is now is also noteworthy.

Weirder still is the fact that Bob Schul isn't in the Hall

ever meet schul? those hall of fame people just dont want to have to put up with him

"America's Ignored Hero: George Young ran on four Olympic teams. So why won't anyone listen to him?" A Scott Douglas article.

My favorite passage from Scott Douglas' article:

"I trained with speed year round," he continues. Indeed, much of his 5,000 miles a year was metered out in lung-searing 330- and 440-yard repeats. "Now, I hear about needing a break after the Olympics, then building a base," he harumphs. "That's three or four months out of the year when your training isn't what it should be. You can put in your six weeks of base, then start speedwork and get sore and stiff, or you can get out on the track the first day and get sore and stiff and get it over with.

Has any American male besides Frank Shorter medaled in any of the distance events since George Young?

Here's a full list of members:

2003 Inductees

George Young, Mary Decker Slaney, Jim Ryun

2002 Inductees

Bill Bowerman, Doris Brown Heritage, John J.Kelley, Browning Ross

2001 Inductees

Bill Dellinger, Lynn Jennings, Fred Lebow, Craig Virgin

2000 Inductees

Clarence DeMar, Steve Prefontaine, Alberto Salazar, Grete Waitz

1999 Inductees

John A. Kelley, Nina Kuscsik, Billy Mills, Francie Larrieu Smith

1998 Inductees

Ted Corbitt, Bill Rodgers, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Frank Shorter, Kathrine Switzer

yes, brian deimer. 1984 bronze medal in the steeplechase. coached by ron warhurst.

What about Bob Schul?

I read his biography.

Great story. I keep a copy in my briefcase (thanks to "The Glider" for providing me a copy) and read it about once a year. George Young is the man.

That may not be the smartest way to train, but you kow what if you have the toughness to do it you'll certainly get good like George did. His range was impressive too.

I agree - although I don't know what is being noised around now. BUT, when GY was competing - everyone knew he was always going to be in the hunt, no matter what. I was a youngin then but I remember many indoor meets (and outdoor for that matter) where he had so-called major upsets. He upset often. He just wasn't 'good copy', just your basic blue collar guy - who kicked butt.

Probably well known, but George was not the prototypic distance runner - a short, heavily muscled guy, who was a nearly unbreakable competitor. AND (given the state of things then) he had short short (shaved) hair!!!His '72 5K against Pre was considered for many years (is it now?) one of the all-time races. As I recall Pre acknowledged that as one of his more challenging duels.

In my view there are more than a few who do not get the props they deserve. (btw - I saw Schul's first sub 4 and his WR two mile [among other '1sts'], fond memories and provided reservoirs of motivation for me)

So now we should have kids running 400s year round?

It would make Zatopek happy.

Thanks for providing this article. I read it years ago and loved it. Recently I was looking for it, but wasn't finding it. Since I'm a coach I would like to share his views w/ some of my athletes. This guy was a rock! Thanks again!

So glad about the thread on George Young. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Young a few years ago @ the Juco National Track & Field Champs in Edwardsville, Illinois. I was sitting with a friend of mine as he walked by us. I asked him if he knew who that guy was and he said no and I informed him that he was the former world record holder in the 2mile, a bronze medalist in the steeple in Mexico City and a FOUR time olympian, as well as the guy that brought out the best in Pre in the '72 olympic trials 5,000. We walked over to him and asked if he was George Young and he said yes. He was very suprised because he said people don't recognize him. I told him a true fan of the sport should and he said he really appreciated that. I later told my friend Craig Virgin that George young was in Edwardsville and he about flipped. He revealed that Young was a hero and role-model for him while he was up and coming and that he would have liked to have talked to him as well. You young (no pun intended) people out there should stay abreast of the history of our sport and about not only the heroes of today but also those of the past. The history of the sport is very enlightening.