“He Was an Absolute Legend”: Sports World Mourns the Devastating Loss of 64-Year-Old American Track Legend

Olympic medalist and former world champion hurdler Greg Foster passed away on 19th February at 64. The shocking news of his demise has saddened the sports community. Condolences for Foster and his family have been pouring from sports lovers all over the internet. Many paid their respect to the former world champion in a Twitter post.

Greg Foster was one of the best in track and field sports. He is the only person in history to win three consecutive in the 110 meters hurdle category (1983, 1987, and 1991) at IAAF World Championships in Athletics. After retiring in 1996, he contributed to the US track and field team as a coach till 57. However, soon the track legend began facing multiple health issues.

Fans recall Greg Foster’s greatness as a track and field player

In 2016 when Foster was coaching the US track and field team, he was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare disease in which protein builds up in organs. He underwent chemotherapy to cure the disease. However, in 2020, Foster experienced a heart transplant which made his survival require intensive care. For the past two years, the retired athlete was receiving medical surveillance. Hence, Foster’s demise came as an unexpected affair.

As reported by NBC Sports, the track legend passed away while he was sleeping in his residence. Moreover, the news of Foster’s death was confirmed by the official Twitter account of USA Track & Field stating; “USATF is saddened to hear of the passing of Greg Foster, one of America’s hurdle greats.”

Nevertheless, fans from all over the world mourned the devastating loss of the track and field prodigy.

Many fans prayed for Foster’s soul;

Fans also expressed their condolences for Foster and his family;

Fans expressed how great he was as a track and field player;

Moreover, a fan also compared Foster to some of the legendary Olympic players;

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Foster’s great fan following surely indicates his greatness as a player. 

A throwback at Greg Foster’s legendary career

Greg Foster was a renowned track and field player and apart from being a three-time world champion, he was twice NCAA outdoor champion in 1978 and 1980 in the 110 meters hurdles. In the following year, he became the NCAA 200 meters champion as well. Nevertheless, in his entire career, he has won 10 U.S. national titles, four outdoors and six indoors.

For the two decades that he played as an athlete, Foster was ranked in the top ten hurdlers in the world for 15 out of 16 years from 1977 to 1992. Foster’s talent was so incredible that once track coach Bobby Kersee appreciated him as “a vision of the Olympic spirit more lasting than any medal.” 

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