Ronald John Freeman III (born June 12, 1947 in Elizabeth, New Jersey) is an American former athlete. At the 1968 Summer Olympics, Freeman won a gold medal in the 4×400 m relay and a bronze medal in the 400 meters.[1] 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.

Ron Freeman
Personal information
Full nameRonald John Freeman III
BornJune 12, 1947 (1947-06-12) (age 77)
Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight82 kg (181 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event400 m
ClubArizona State Sun Devils, Phoenix
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)220 yd – 21.2 (1963)
400 m – 44.41 (1968)
880 yd – 1:50.4 (1968)
Medal record
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1968 Mexico City 4×400 m relay
Bronze medal – third place 1968 Mexico City 400 metres [a]

Raised in Elizabeth, Freeman attended Thomas Jefferson High School.[2]

Awards

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In August 2017, Freeman received the Athletes in Excellence Award from The Foundation for Global Sports Development in recognition of his community service efforts and work with youth.[3]

Notes

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  1. ^ Freeman ran the fastest 400 meter relay leg in the history of the Olympic Games which stood for more than 25 years.

References

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  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Ron Freeman". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-04-17.
  2. ^ Denman, Elliott. "From Banishment to the Hall", Armory Track, December 7, 2011. Accessed September 11, 2020. "the Hudson and down the ‘pike there was Ron Freeman at Thomas Jefferson High School n Elizabeth, N.J."
  3. ^ "Ten Athletes Selected to Receive The Foundation for Global Sports Development's 2017 Athletes in Excellence Award". aroundtherings.com. Retrieved 2017-08-09.