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George Larry James (b. 6 Nov 1947 Mount Pleasant, New Jersey) died of intestinal cancer on 7 November 2008, his 61st birthday, at his home in Galloway, New Jersey.
Previously known as a 400m hurdler and triple jumper, and not even ranked in the world top 100 at 400m in 1967, he made an astonishing breakthrough in 1968 with a 43.9y relay leg at the Penn Relays and then in a thrilling rivalry with Lee Evans. Both men smashed the World record for 400m in the US Olympic Trials at Echo Summit (2250m above sea level) when Evans won in 44.06 and James was a close second in 44.19. As Evans wore the illegal ‘Brush spike’ shoes, James was credited with the World record (44.1 on hand time).
Then at the Olympic Games, Evans got the record and gold with his 43.86 and James the silver in 43.97 at the 2248m altitude of Mexico City. James won a gold medal when he ran a 43.8 third leg on the US 4x400m team that set a World record of 2:56.16.
James was ranked sixth in the world in 1969 and 1970 and won NCAA titles outdoors in 1970 and indoors each year 1968-70 for Villanova University and World University Games gold medals at 400m and 4x400m in1970. He set indoor World bests at 500 yards with 55.4 in 1969 and 53.9A as an ITA professional at Salt Lake Cty in 1973. Other pbs: 220y 21.5, 400mh 50.2 (1970), TJ 14.81 (1967). Until his death he was for many years athletic director of Richard Stockton College, New Jersey.
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With thanks to Peter Matthews and Mel Watman – Athletics International
