August 29, 1960
Overcoming literal hurdles – as well as a swollen knee and a torn stomach muscle – in 1956 and still winning silver in the decathlon, Rafer Johnson was a force to be reckoned with by the time the 1960 Rome games arrived. But above his sporting glory, TIME wrote in August 1960, Johnson was a gentleman, “fulfilling the ancient Olympic ideals of the dedicated, all-around athlete.” It was to be his final Olympic Games, and Johnson was prepared to do battle like a sportsman. “For the spirit of the Olympic games is more than the will to win: it is the quality of competing with honor, courage and character,” TIME wrote.