Ronald John Freeman III (born June 12, 1947 in
) is an American former
athlete
An athlete (also sportsman or sportswoman) is a person who competes in one or more sports that involve physical strength, speed, or endurance.
Athletes may be professionals or amateurs. Most professional athletes have particularly well-devel ...
. At the
1968 Summer Olympics
The 1968 Summer Olympics ( es, Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 1968), officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad ( es, Juegos de la XIX Olimpiada) and commonly known as Mexico 1968 ( es, México 1968), were an international multi-sport eve ...
, Freeman won a gold medal in the 4×400 m
relay and a bronze medal in the 400 meters. Freeman ran the second leg on the American 4×400 m relay team, which won the gold medal with a new
world record of 2.56.16. His relay leg time (43.2s) was the fastest 4x400 meter relay leg ever run and his time stood for more than 25 years.
Raised in Elizabeth, Freeman attended
Thomas Jefferson High School.
Awards
In August 2017, Freeman received the Athletes in Excellence Award from
The Foundation for Global Sports Development
The Foundation for Global Sports Development is a 501(c) organization which creates and supports programs promoting sportsmanship, education, fair play and ethics for children around the world. Attorney David Ulich is president of the foundation ...
in recognition of his community service efforts and work with youth.
Notes
References
1947 births
Living people
American male sprinters
Athletes (track and field) at the 1968 Summer Olympics
Olympic gold medalists for the United States in track and field
Sportspeople from Elizabeth, New Jersey
Thomas Jefferson High School (New Jersey) alumni
Track and field athletes from New Jersey
Medalists at the 1968 Summer Olympics
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