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So here are my thoughts on why Rafer Johnson could be considered the GOAT of decathletes, and thus all-around athletes. First of all he won Olympic gold in 1960 and Olympic silver in 1956, but he was injured in 1956 although Milt Campbell was formidable that year. 1/n
Secondly, Rafer set three world records in the decathlon. This has also only been achieved by Hans-Heinrich Sievert (GER), Bob Mathias (GER), Bruce/Caitlin Jenner (USA), and Daley Thompson (GBR). 2/n
World records are not recognized for the 10 individual decathlon events but world bests and a world best progression are known. Rafer set world bests in 4 of the 10 individual decathlon events – 100 metres, 400 metres, discus throw and javelin throw. 3/n
Among decathletes, Rafer is the only one to hold world bests in 4 of the 10 events since World War I – two guys did it in the embryonic days of the decathlon. 4/n
Rafer also made the 1956 US Olympic team in the long jump, but had to withdraw because of an injury. Very rare for a USA decathlete to make US team in the Olympic decathlon and an individual event, because of the depth in the USA. 5/n
Before Rafer, you can count Bob Richards (pole vault – also 1956) and Harold Osborn (high jump – 1924). Osborn uniquely won both the decathlon and high jump in 1924. 6/n
Two events Rafer did not set the decathlon world best in were the long jump and the 110 metre high hurdles. As noted he made the 1956 US Olympic team in the long jump. At the 1956 NCAA Championship, he placed 2nd in the LJ and the 110H. 7/n
Rafer was 2nd at the 1956 NCAAs to Greg Bell in the LJ and to Lee Calhoun in the 110H. Both Bell and Calhoun won Olympic gold medals in those events at Melbourne in 1956. For the year 1956, Rafer Johnson was world ranked 6th in both the long jump and high hurdles. 8/n
Among his personal bests in the 10 events were as follows: 100 – 10.3 (1957); 400 – 47.9 (1956); 110H – 13.8 (1956); LJ – 25-5½ (7.76) (1956); SP – 54-11½ (16.75) (1958); DT – 172-3 (52.50) (1960); JT – 251-9 (76.73) (1960) 9/n
Nobody who can run 10.3 in the 100 (hand), 13.8 in the 110H, and long jump 7.76 has any business throwing the discus 52.50 or the javelin 76.73 (old implement). Its almost unheard of (spare me any Russ Hodge or Bo Jackson comparisons) 10/n
Johnson’s weak events were the high jump, pole vault, and 1,500. But he came along before the Fosbury Flop and before fiberglass poles – one can only speculate what he could have done with those techniques and implements. 11/n
If I had to vote, I would pick Rafer Johnson as the decathlon GOAT – the world’s all-time greatest all-around athlete. RIP 12/end
