Cliff Blair

Cliff Blair made the 1956 US Olympic team by finishing second in the hammer throw at the Olympic Trials, but he never competed at the Olympics. Blair was helping Boston Globe sportswriter Jerry Nason write columns on the Olympics and, during the lead-up to Melbourne, was thrown off the USA team because that was a violation of amateur status rules in that era.

In the summer of 1956, Blair bettered the world record for the hammer when he threw 65.95 (216-4½) at a meet near Boston. There were problems with the measurement of the mark, however, and it was never submitted for ratification. Blair finished in the top six at the AAU Meet four times, placing second in 1952, fourth in 1956, fifth in 1953, and sixth in 1957.

Blair had graduated from Boston University with a degree in communications. He later participated in masters’ athletics meets in the hammer, competing into his 60s.

Personal Best: HT – 65.95 (216-4½) (1956).