Ben Plucknett

Walter Harrison ("Ben") Plucknett (April 13, 1954 in Beatrice, Nebraska – November 17, 2002 in Essex, Missouri) was an American track and field athlete, known primarily for the discus throw. In 1981, he broke the existing world record with a throw of 233'7", and broke the record again with a throw of 72.34 m (237'4") on July 7, 1981. However, on July 13, 1981, the International Association of Athletics Federations banned Plucknett from further competition after he had tested positive for anabolic steroid use, and the records were removed. [1] Even though he was stripped of his World Record breaking throws the IAAF still recognizes his throw of 71.32m (233' 11.87") thrown on June 4, 1983, in Eugene, Oregon as the current North American record.[2] He died of a brain aneurysm on his farm.

References

  1. ↑ "U.S. discus star stripped of world record for steroids", Anchorage Daily News, July 14, 1981, pB-1
  2. ↑ http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/records/inout=o/discType=5/disc=DT/detail.htm

External links


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