Jim Hammond dies at 95, tragically deprived of WR dreams

Last September, Minneapolis sprinter Jim Hammond told a local reporter: “I’m going for world records next year,” referring to his goal of setting M95 bests at this summer’s National Senior Olympics in Palo Alto. A widower and legally blind at 94, he seemed to be on his way, as I noted at the time. But I’ve just received the sad news that Jim passed away a month ago. His obituary, which can be seen here, says Jim died unexpectedly May 27 while vacationing at Destin, Florida.  His hometown newspaper said Jim died in his sleep.

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Jim Hammond had world-class form for a 94-year-old last year.

The death notice reported:

Looking for a new interest at age 85, he began training as a short distance runner. He successfully competed in the Georgia and Minnesota Senior Olympic Games from 2001 to 2008. In the National Olympic Games, he won a silver medal in 2003; a silver and two gold medals in 2005; and at age 93, in 2007 at Louisville, Kentucky won a silver and five gold medals. He was proudly featured in Readers Digest; several senior fitness magazines; and an ESPN sports documentary.


Jim Hammond’s story, recounted after his death, noted:

As Hammond said in an interview with The Valdosta Daily Times then, and often said afterward, he considered his 80s and 90s some of the “most exciting, fun-filled and most rewarding years of my life.”

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June 28, 2009

One Response

  1. Lisa Wetmore - November 25, 2012

    So I have a summer 2009 issue of discover magazine that features a Jim Hammond, I wonder if its the same. 95 year old athlete. It’s a study on inflammation and aging.. Really good article but I can’t believe they would publish his life in present time in September if he had already died in May?

    Best,
    Lisa

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