London, August 1948, Games of the XIV Olympiad. Men's athletics, decathlon: eventual winner Robert MATHIAS of the United States throwing the discus. Credit: Getty Images

Other names: MATHIAS, Robert Bruce

Born: 17 November 1930

Deceased: 2 September 2006

Birthplace: Tulare (United States)

Nationality: United States

Sport: Athletics

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

London 1948

Helsinki 1952

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Gold: 2

Decathlon Victor At Age 17

Bob Mathias was only 17 years old when his high school track coach suggested that he take up the decathlon. Less than three months later, he qualified for the U.S. Olympic team. He was so inexperienced that when he competed at the 1948 Olympics, he fouled in the shot put because he did not know that it was forbidden to leave the throwing circle from the front. The final events began so late that the field had to be illuminated by automobile headlights. A few minutes after Mathias became the youngest winner in men's athletics history, he was asked how he intended to celebrate his victory. Mathias replied, "I'll start shaving, I guess." Four years later, at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Mathias broke his own world record and became the first repeat winner of the decathlon.