Frank Shorter
Frank Shorter (born October 31, 1947) is a former American athlete, winner of the marathon race at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
Born in Munich, Germany, where his father served in army, Frank Shorter achieved his first fame by winning the 1969 NCAA 10 000 m title as a Yale student. He won his fist national title in 1970 in 5000 m. In 1971, 1974, 1975 and 1977 he won the national 10 000 m title and from 1970 to 1973 he won the national cross-country championships. He also won both 10 000 m and marathon at the 1971 Pan American Games.
But the greatest fame became, when Shorter won the gold medal at the 1972 Olympics held in his home town. He also finished fifth at the Olympic 10 000 m final. Shorter earned his law degree in 1975, but was unable to defend his Olympic Champion title, finishing second behind a surprise winner Waldemar Cierpinski from East Germany at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Shorter decided to retire from athletics after the next season and started his own athletic supply company. He also worked in television as a sports commentator.
