On this day in athletics history, April 9, Edwin Flack wins the 800m in Athens (1896), Valerie Allman puts the AR in the discus (2022) run by Walt Murphy.

Walt Murphy News and Results Service ((email protected)), used with permission.

(c) Copyright 2026 – All Rights Reserved. May not be reprinted or redirected without permission.

This day in athletics – April 9

1896— Two days after winning the 1,500 at the Athens Olympics, Australia’s Edwin “Teddy” Flack won the 2.^th gold medal in 800 meters. Nicknamed “The Lion of Athens”, Flack was Australia’s first Olympic champion. He also entered the Marathon but was unable to finish the race after becoming “dehydrated” and lost both of his tennis matches in Athens.

https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/627

http://www.casey.vic.gov.au/council/about-casey/history/edwin-flack

Marathon report: https://www.olympedia.org/results/56017

WikiBio:: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Flack

1965–Texas A&M’s Randy Matson set the first of his 4 American records in the shot put with a 67-11 ¼ (20.70) in the quadruple meet at home in College Station, Texas. His mark also bettered Dallas Long’s world record of 67-10 (20.67), but it was never validated by the IAAF (for unknown reasons).

1988–UCLA senior Gail Devers ran a 12.71 in the 100-meter hurdles in Fresno to break Stephanie Hightower’s six-year American record of 12.79 (she also set a collegiate record). She became one of the greatest sprinters in history, winning 2 Olympic gold medals in the 100 meters and 3 world titles in the 100 meters (along with 1 in the 100 meters).

2011— Sr. Gunnar Nixon (Santa Fe, OK) scored 7,524 points (international instruments) at the Arcadia Inv. (4-8/9) to surpass the HS national record of 7,466 set by Curtis Beach (Albuquerque Academy, NM) in 2009.

11.06, 24-1 3⁄4 (7.36w) 23-5 1⁄4 (7.14 ok), 39-10 (12.14), 6-7 1⁄2/2.02, 48.37 (4075w/4022),

14.60, 116-1 (35.38), 14-5 1⁄4 (4.40), 170-7 (52.00), 4:39.64 (3502);

Nixon would go on to win the 2012 World Junior title and place 5th^th in that year’s NCAA Championships as a freshman at Arkansas. Competing as an open athlete in 2013, he finished 2nd^th Ashton Eaton at the US Championships, earning a trip to the World Championships in Moscow, where he finished 13th.^thbut did not compete again after the 2014 season.

2021— DeAnna Price, the reigning World champion, threw the hammer 257-10 (78.60) in Columbia, Missouri, breaking her previous American record of 256-8 (78.24) set in 2019. He will upgrade his AR to

263-6 (80.31) at the US Olympic Trials in June.

Video:: https://www.instagram.com/p/CNdyCEInQvL/

The USA has 5 of the 10 longest throwers in history. (from: T&F News)

82.98 |: 272-3 Anita Wlodarczyk (Poland) 28.8.16.

81.13 |: 266-2 Camryn Rogers (Canada) 4/02/26

80.31 |: 263-6 DeAnna Price (USA) 6/26/21

80.17 263-0 Brooke Andersen (USA) 5/20/23

79.42 |: 260-7 Betty Heidler (Germany) 5/21/11

78,80 |: 258-6 Rachel Richeson (USA) 4/11/25

78.00 |: 255-11 Janee’ Kassanavoid (USA) 5/21/22

77.80 |: 255-3 Tatiana Beloborodova (Russia) 15.8.06

77.78 |: 255-2 Gwen Berry (USA) 6/08/18

77.68 |: 254-10 Zheng Wang (China) 3/29/14

2022–2021 Olympic champion Valerie Allman added to her American record in the discus with a throw of 234-5 (71.46) at the Triton Inv. in LaJolla, California. This was the longest throw in the world in the last 30 years. Its predecessor AR 233-5 (71.16) was set in 2021. He would win his 2^th 2024 Olympic title and improve AR to 241-2 (73.52) in 2025.

https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2022/04/08/valarie-allman-discus-american-record/

https://trackandfieldnews.com/article/another-american-record-for-valarie-allman/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUBoQexS9xE

Born on this day*

Chris Benard 36 (1990) 2-time US Olympian. Triple jump… did not make the finals in Rio 2016 or Tokyo 2021; 9:00^th

to the 2024 US Olympic Trials

6th place at the 2017 World Championships in London…did not qualify for the 2022 World Championships

Throwed a personal best of 57-4 ¼ (17.48) to finish 2nd at the 2017 USA Championships;

Trained at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center by renowned showjumper Jeremy Fisher (who also coached

Will Clay)

(Adapting in 2020 during Covid) “My trainer Jeremy and I were training in the gardens and he set up a weight room in his garage. So we did that until we were allowed to go back to the Center. I felt it was a guerilla style of warfare. was kind of getting ready, but you’re not really sure what you’re up to.”

Was All-American at Arizona State – 2nd at 2012 NCAA Indoor Championships

Currently Head Women’s Coach at Cuyamaca College, El Cajon, California

https://cuyamacacoyotes.com/sports/wtrack/2024-25/releases/20240903nlphwi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Benard

(For subscribers): https://trackandfieldnews.com/article/chris-benard-brimming-with-proof/

Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn-Jamaica 62 (1964) 1991 World Champion — 4×100; Two-time Olympic silver medalist: 100,200 (1992)

1996 Olympic Games bronze medalist — 4×100; PBs-10.83, 21.75 (’92 for both)

2-time silver medalist of the World Championship – 4×100 (’95,’97)

3-time NCAA champion — 100, 200, 4×100 (1986-Texas)

Currently, Jamaica’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Welfare

Texas Hall of Fame: http://texassports.com/news/2015/9/21/XC_TF_0921155947.aspx

WikiBio:: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliet_Cuthbert

https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/72206

https://opm.gov.jm/cabinet_ministers/juliet-cuthbert-flynn/

Tribute Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eonE7Bv-r8w

Chip Jenkins 62 (1964) 1992 Olympic Games gold medalist — 4×400 (1^St round); PB:: 44.90 (’92)

600 meters (1:15.80) US indoor record holder for 26 years.

All-American at Villanova — NCAA 4×400 (1985-7th, 1986-4^th); Indoor – 500m (1986-3:^th)

1986 Penn Relays Champion — 4×400 (anchor)

Son of Charlie Jenkins, 1956 Olympic gold medalist in the 400 and 4×400 relay.

https://speedendurance.com/2013/03/15/interview-with-chip-jenkins-former-600m-ar-olympic-gold-medalist/

https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/78603