Dedy Cooper (born May 22, 1956)[1] is a retired American track and field athlete, known for specializing in the hurdles.

Early life

While running for Harry Ells High School in Richmond, California, Cooper led his team to the team title at the 1975 CIF California State Meet. In the process, Cooper tied the National High School record in the 120 yard hurdles at 13.2 in the semi-finals.[2] That record was later surpassed by Nehemiah, which remains the record. Running for San Jose State University, he was the 1976 NCAA Outdoor Champion.

Athletics

He held the world indoor record in the 60 meter high hurdles at 7.54, set in 1977.[3] He was ranked in the top 10 in the world in the 110 metres hurdles six years in a row starting in 1976, rising to number 3 in the world in 1981.[4] He qualified for the ill-fated United States Olympic team in 1980 by finishing second to Renaldo Nehemiah in the United States Olympic Trials, but did not get to run in the Olympics due to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott.[5] He did however receive one of 461 Congressional Gold Medals created especially for the spurned athletes.[6]

References

  1. ^ "This Day In Athletics - Person Record Report". dayinathletics.drtrack.com.
  2. ^ "1975 - Balboa Stadium, San Diego; Fri-Sat, June 6-7". prepcaltrack.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
  3. ^ "Dedy Cooper". sjsuspartans.com. 2008-08-05. Archived from the original on 2012-04-07. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  4. ^ "World Rankings - Men's 110 Hurdles" (PDF). Track & Field News. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-26. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  5. ^ Hymans, Richard (2008). "The history of the United States Olympic Trails - Track & Field" (PDF). USA Track & Field. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-27. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  6. ^ Caroccioli, Tom; Caroccioli, Jerry. Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. Highland Park, IL: New Chapter Press. pp. 243–253. ISBN 978-0942257403.


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