Hall of Fame

Parry O’Brien

Track and Field

Olympian in Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games, Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games, Rome 1960 Olympic Games, Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games

Born:
January 28, 1932
Birthplace:
Santa Monica, California
Died:
April 21, 2007
College:
University of Southern California

hall of fame

Parry O’Brien

Track and Field

Olympian in Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games, Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games, Rome 1960 Olympic Games, Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games

Born:
January 28, 1932
Birthplace:
Santa Monica, California
Died:
April 21, 2007
College:
University of Southern California
After quitting his college football team, Parry O’Brien became the most dominant shotputter of his time, winning 116 consecutive meets, including two Olympic gold medals.
SHARE

A standout high school football player, Parry O’Brien earned a scholarship to play for the University of Southern California. As a freshman, however, O’Brien was kicked in the stomach during practice – and while he decided that was the end of his football career, it was a choice that propelled him to athletic stardom.

Finished on the gridiron, O’Brien channeled all of his energy into the shotput. Determined to improve his distance, O’Brien revolutionized the event with the O’Brien Glide, a new technique that saw athletes do a 180-degree spin and create greater momentum before launching the 16-pound ball of steel.

It’s an application of physics which says that the longer you apply pressure or force to an inanimate object, the farther it will go,” O’Brien told Time magazine. “My style is geared to allow me to apply force for the longest time before releasing the shot.”

When combined with his tireless dedication, the O’Brien Glide made him nearly unbeatable. O’Brien would sometimes practice in an alley behind his house, in a vacant lot or even in an empty Los Angeles Coliseum after sneaking into the vast stadium.

I don’t quit until my hands bleed,” O’Brien said. “And that’s the god’s truth.”

O’Brien held the world record from 1953 to 1959, setting a new mark a whopping 17 times and winning 116 consecutive meets. He won the shotput gold medal at the Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games and the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games, becoming the first Olympian to repeat as shotput gold medalist in nearly 50 years.

O’Brien then took silver at the Rome 1960 Olympic Games and was the American flag bearer for the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, where he finished fourth.

After giving up the shotput, O’Brien took up swimming and became a competitive swimmer in masters competition. O’Brien died of a heart attack during a 500-yard freestyle race in 2007. He was 75 years old.



MEDAL RESULTS
1952 Helsinki Shotput Gold
1956 Melbourne Shotput Gold
1960 Rome Shotput Silver

TICKETS NOW

ON SALE

DISCOUNTS FOR MILITARY, FIRST RESPONDERS, SENIORS, GROUPS AND MORE!​
RELATED GALLERY
connect with us
NEXT UP
One of the best swimmers who has ever competed for Team USA, Natalie Coughlin won 12 medals over the course of three Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012).
David Kiley competed at five Paralympic Games in wheelchair basketball, track and field, and alpine skiing. He won a total of 13 Paralympic medals.
Michelle Kwan sits as the most decorated figure skater – male or female – in the United States, having won 43 championships.
Swimmer Trischa Zorn-Hudson is the most successful athlete in the history of the Paralympic Games, having won 55 medals, including 41 gold medals, over seven Paralympics.
Skip to content